Linked Life Data

2845854

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/2845854

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
5A
pubmed:dateCreated
1988-11-16
pubmed:abstractText
The c-Ha-ras oncogene has been implicated as a causative agent in the development of tumors in humans as well as mice. The molecular nature of the ras-induced tumorigenic process remains unclear, however. To address this question directly we have constructed a cell line which carries a zinc-inducible metallothionein-ras hybrid oncogene, transformant 212. Upon exposure to zinc for 24-48 hr, 212 cells assume a highly transformed morphology, concomitant with the induction of ras-expression. Natural killer cells constitute a subpopulation of lymphoid effector cells which have for a long time been hypothesized to be involved in the earliest stages of antitumor surveillance. Central to this hypothesis is the prediction that NK sensitivity arises during cellular transformation. By carrying out cytotoxicity assays against the 212 transformant, we showed that, indeed, increased sensitivity to NK-mediated lysis correlated with expression of the ras oncogene, which is consistent with the above hypothesis. We then addressed the question of the biochemical mechanism of ras-induced transformation. Owing to their similarity to G proteins, regulatory elements interposed between cell-surface receptors and their effector enzymes, it has been postulated that p21, the ras oncogene protein, mediates its transforming effects by constitutive activation of proliferative signal transduction pathways. We studied the effect of ras expression on the regulation of adenylate cyclase (A.C.), key enzyme of one such major pathway. We found that ras expression correlated with a dampening of responsiveness of A.C. to several stimuli, including hormones such as isoproterenol and other agents such as GMP-PNP, forskolin and fluoride-ion. Accumulation of cAMP as measured by RIA in intact cells, as basal or in response to stimulation of A.C. activity with forskolin, was also decreased (approximately 10-fold) with ras expression. Because the regulation of calcium, another important second messenger is dependent, in part, upon cAMP and GTP-binding proteins, we investigated the possible influence of ras expression on the intracellular concentration of calcium. Steady-state intracellular free Ca2+ concentration, as measured by fluorimetry, was indeed increased by approximately 50-125% in association with ras expression. Finally, we studied the possible influence of p21ras on protein kinase C (PKC), which is a key enzyme in the important signal transduction pathway of phosphatidylinositol lipid turnover. We assessed PKC activity directly, in a cell-free system, by measuring the ability of the enzyme to transfer radiolabelled phosphate from gamma-32P-ATP to histone, and exogenous substrate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0250-7005
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
8
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
935-45
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:articleTitle
The cell biology of ras-induced transformation: insights from studies utilizing an inducible hybrid oncogene system.
pubmed:affiliation
Mount Sinai Hospital Research Institute, Division of Molecular Immunology and Neurobiology, Toronto, Canada.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't