The rat liver epithelial (RLE) cell nuclear protein database.

The master two-dimensional computer database of rat liver epithelial (RLE) cellular proteins (Wirth et al., Electrophoresis 1991, 12, 931-954) has been expanded to include detailed information concerning 1100 nucleoplasmic (cytosolic) and 850 particulate associated [35S]methionine labeled as well as 215 nucleoplasmic and 269 particulate associated [32P]orthophosphate labeled RLE nuclear polypeptides, respectively. The RLE nuclear protein database developed using the Elsie 5 gel analysis system contains both qualitative and quantitative annotations including polypeptide identification number, protein name (if known), molecular weight and pI information, quantitation and polypeptide spot shape, subcellular location, as well as specific information regarding transformation (chemical and spontaneous) and growth-related characteristics. Microsequencing of polypeptides directly from two-dimensional (2-D) blotted membranes has recently been established in our laboratory and provides a highly efficient and rapid means of polypeptide identification in the absence of specific antibodies. At present the RLE protein database is still in the developmental stage and is continually being updated as additional information is obtained. Nonetheless, it is anticipated that knowledge obtained concerning the identification and characterization of specific transformation and/or growth regulatory proteins in the RLE in vitro cell system will not only have direct application to other rodent and human 2-D protein databases currently under development but will also complement them.

Consecutive silver staining and autoradiography of 35S and 32P-labeled cellular proteins: application for the analysis of signal transducing pathways.

The methodology for the simultaneous analysis of protein synthesis concomitant with protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation is described. The technique consists of metabolic labeling of rat liver epithelial (RLE) cells with [32P]orthophosphate and [35S]methionine, performing two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) of the mixed samples, followed by silver staining and subsequent autoradiography of the dried silver stained 2-D PAGE electrophoretograms using two films placed back-to-back. The first film, which is positioned in direct contact with the dried silver-stained gel, visualized both exposure to 35S and 32P while the second film recorded exposure to only 32P due to the differential energy levels of the two isotopes. The juxta-positioning of the silver-stained images with the two autoradiographic film images permits the unambiguous mapping of the phosphorylated polypeptides back to their corresponding silver-stained and methionine-labeled counterparts. This strategy provides quantitative information utilizing both silver staining (measure of constitutive levels of protein expression) and metabolic labeling to measure rates of protein synthesis and/or degradation and phosphorylation and/or dephosphorylation using [35S]methionine and [32P]orthophosphate, respectively. We have utilized this methodology for the in vitro analysis of transforming growth factor type beta 1 (TGF-beta 1)-mediated signal transduction in RLE cells and have identified three nuclear polypeptides, 1 (pI 4.95/M(r) 97 kDa), 2 (5.00/85 kDa) and 3 (4.90/84 kDa) whose phosphorylation status is rapidly and transiently modulated by TGF-beta 1. The methodology described should have wide applications in studies where it is desirous to measure protein synthesis and/or degradation concomitant with signal transduction pathways involving protein phosphorylation.

Two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis of transformation-sensitive polypeptides during chemically, spontaneously, and oncogene-induced transformation of rat liver epithelial cells.

Recently, we described the establishment of a computerized database of rat liver epithelial (RLE) cellular polypeptides (Wirth et al., Electrophoresis, 1991, 12, 931-954). This database has now been expanded to include the analysis of cellular polypeptide alterations during chemically (aflatoxin B1; AFB), spontaneously, and oncogene (v-Ha-ras, v-raf, and v-myc/v-raf)-induced transformation of RLE cells. Two-dimensional mapping of [35S]methionine-labeled whole cell lysate, cell-free in vitro translation products and [32P]orthophosphate-labeled polypeptides revealed subsets of polypeptides specific for each transformation modality. A search of the RLE protein database indicated the specific subcellular location for the majority of these transformation-sensitive proteins. Significant alterations in the expression of the extracellular matrix protein, fibronectin, as well as tropomyosin- and intermediate filament-related polypeptides (vimentin, beta-tubulin, the cytokeratins, and actin) were observed among the various transformant cell lines. Immunoprecipitation and Western immunoblot analysis of tropomyosin expression in four individual AFB-, as well as four spontaneously induced, and each of the oncogene-transformed cell lines indicated that five major tropomyosin (Tm 1-5) isoforms were variably expressed in the various cell lines, including one polypeptide tentatively identified as Tm6. Whereas alterations in tropomyosin expression appeared to be transformation-specific, alterations in the individual intermediate filament polypeptides were related more to the differentiation state of the individual cell lines rather than to the transformation phenotype. These studies extend our earlier efforts toward the establishment of a comprehensive computerized database of RLE cellular proteins and demonstrates how such a database may serve as a useful source for studies concerning the regulation of growth and differentiation as well as transformation of RLE cells.

Low frequency of p53 gene mutation in tumors induced by aflatoxin B1 in nonhuman primates.

Aflatoxin B1 has been suggested as a causative agent for a G to T mutation at codon 249 in the p53 gene in human hepatocellular carcinomas from southern Africa and Qidong in China. To test this hypothesis, nine tumors induced by aflatoxin B1 in nonhuman primates were analyzed for mutations in the p53 gene. These included four hepatocellular carcinomas, two cholangiocarcinomas, a spindle cell carcinoma of the bile duct, a hemangioendothelial sarcoma of the liver, and an osteogenic sarcoma of the tibia. None of the tumors showed changes at the third position of codon 249 by cleavage analysis of the HaeIII enzyme site at codon 249. A point mutation was identified in one hepatocellular carcinoma at the second position of codon 175 (G to T transversion) by sequencing analysis of the four conserved domains (II to V) in the p53 gene. These data suggest that mutations in the p53 gene are not necessary in aflatoxin B1 induced hepatocarcinogenesis in nonhuman primates. The occurrence of mutation in codon 249 of the p53 gene in selective samples of human hepatocellular cancers may indicate involvement of environmental carcinogens other than aflatoxin B1 or that hepatitis B virus-related hepatitis is a prerequisite for aflatoxin B1 induction of G to T transversion in codon 249.

The rat liver epithelial (RLE) cell protein database.

Computer databases of rat liver epithelial (RLE) cellular polypeptides have been established using high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and computer-assisted analysis. Databases have been constructed utilizing both [35S]methionine- and [32P]orthophosphate-labeled as well as silver-stained polypeptides from normal RLE cells. The RLE database, which contains both qualitative and quantitative annotations, includes experiments with normal, chemically and oncogene transformed as well as spontaneously transformed cell lines. A total of 2537 [35S]methionine-labeled polypeptides from whole cell lysates (1920 acidic and 617 basic, separated in the first dimension using isoelectric focusing and nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis, respectively) were analyzed and databases constructed using the Elsie 5 gel analysis system. To increase the "viewing window" and hence the usefulness of the RLE database, subcellular fractionation of whole cell preparations was performed and high resolution two-dimensional maps of the individual subcellular components were constructed. Databases representing 1229 cytosolic, 1539 acidic and 674 basic nuclear, 1746 membrane-associated, 415 mitochondrial, 773 in vitro translated and 350 phosphoproteins were established from these maps. The RLE databases contain the Elsie 5 identification number, protein name (if known), molecular weight and pI information, quantitative and spot shape data, and specific information regarding transformation-sensitive, growth-related (exponentially proliferating versus confluent) cell populations as well as those polypeptides modulated by specific growth factors. The RLE databases represent initial efforts toward the establishment of comprehensive databases of rat liver proteins and serve as a vital resource for on-going as well as future studies regarding the regulation of growth and differentiation as well as transformation of RLE cells.