amanitins and Leukemia--Erythroblastic--Acute

K562 human erythroleukemia cells constitutively express epsilon- and gamma- but not beta-globin genes. We have previously shown that the differential expression of globin genes observed in intact K562 cells could be simulated in vitro as K562 nuclear extract (NE) actively transcribes the epsilon-globin (with 2 kilobases of 5'-flanking sequence) and gamma-globin gene DNA templates but not beta-globin gene templates. We have now used the K562 in vitro transcription system to examine a silencer transcriptional control element which has been reported to be localized between -177 and -392 base pairs (bp) 5' of the canonical cap site for the epsilon-globin gene. We find that K562 NE has markedly reduced synthesis of RNA in vitro from epsilon-globin gene DNA deletion templates which contain the silencer sequence, or part thereof, but not the adjacent 5'-positive regulatory region (-453 to -535 bp). Furthermore, those transcripts generated in vitro from DNA templates extending to -453 bp or less of the epsilon-globin gene were not correctly initiated at the canonical cap site. Separating the K562 NE by ion exchange chromatography, we isolated a fraction (F175) transcriptionally active for all tested globin genes including the epsilon-globin gene containing the silencer sequence and a fraction (F50) which contains the trans-acting factors associated with the silencer activity. F50 showed a strong dose-dependent inhibitory effect on correctly initiated epsilon-globin gene transcription directed by either unfractionated K562 NE or F175. This suppression by F50 was not observed on transcriptional activity of the permissive adenovirus 2 major late promoter. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays using the epsilon-globin gene silencer region as probe, F50 and F175 exhibited different DNA binding protein patterns; a specific protein band in F50 appears to be associated with the silencer activity. These studies suggest that this protein may be specifically responsible for the activity of the silencer element of the epsilon-globin gene. The expression and silencing of the epsilon-globin gene during development may be modulated by the interactions of this protein with the cis-acting DNA silencer.

Topics: Amanitins; Base Sequence; DNA Fingerprinting; DNA, Neoplasm; Globins; Humans; Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute; Molecular Sequence Data; RNA, Neoplasm; Templates, Genetic; Transcription, Genetic; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The cytotoxicity of 5-fluorouridine (FUrd) results from actions directed at the synthesis of both DNA and RNA. The role of mRNA as a target for FUrd was investigated by selectively decreasing the incorporation of FUrd into RNA polymerase II transcripts of K-562 erythroleukemia cells, which was accomplished by the addition of alpha-amanitin to cultures of K-562 cells permeabilized with lysolecithin. In these cells alpha-amanitin at concentrations of 1-5 micrograms/ml inhibited the incorporation of [3H]-uridine into polyadenylated RNA by up to 45% and decreased the steady-state levels of two specific mRNAs but had no effect on poly A- RNA synthesis. alpha-Amanitin decreased the incorporation of FUrd into poly A+ RNA by up to 60%. The decrease in FUrd incorporation produced by alpha-amanitin was accompanied by an antagonism of the growth inhibitory effects of the fluorinated pyrimidine nucleoside by the mycotoxin, as measured by both growth in suspension culture and colony formation in 0.12% agar. Antagonism between these agents increased as the concentration of alpha-amanitin was elevated; furthermore, it was sequence-dependent, occurring only when alpha-amanitin preceded FUrd. These findings provide evidence that the actions of FUrd directed against mRNA are antagonized when FUrd incorporation into mRNA transcripts is decreased and that the effects of FUrd on mRNA produce cytotoxic consequences.

Topics: Adenosine; Amanitins; Cell Division; Cell Membrane Permeability; Chromatography, Affinity; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; Humans; Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute; Lysophosphatidylcholines; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; RNA Polymerase II; RNA Precursors; RNA, Messenger; Transcription, Genetic; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tumor Stem Cell Assay; Uridine

The initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II in isolated murine erythroleukemia cell nuclei was investigated by isolating newly synthesized gamma-thio (gamma-S-)-triphosphate-labeled transcripts by Hg-agarose chromatography. The 5' terminus of transcripts initiated in vitro with [gamma-35S]ATP or [gamma-35S]GTP was identified as the thiotetraphosphate in alkaline hydrolysis products from Hg-agarose-selected RNA. Additional control experiments analyzing the nuclear transcription of two well characterized tRNA genes showed that each gene was initiated with the proper triphosphate, either gamma-S-ATP or gamma-S-GTP, indicating little, if any, exchange of the gamma-S-labeled substrate to the other triphosphates. As determined by S1 mapping, newly synthesized beta-globin gene transcripts initiate only with gamma-S-ATP. Their 5'-terminus is located at the cap site, and their synthesis is inhibited by 1 microgram alpha-amanitin/ml. In reactions containing gamma-S-ATP but not gamma-S-GTP, several additional initiation sites are observed that are located in the 5'-flanking region. We conclude that RNA polymerase II can initiate transcription at the cap site in isolated nuclei.

Topics: Amanitins; Animals; Cell Line; Friend murine leukemia virus; Globins; Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute; Mice; RNA Caps; RNA Polymerase II; RNA, Transfer; Thionucleotides; Transcription, Genetic

The effect of phospholipid vesicles on chromatin structure, protein composition and globin RNA synthesis has been analysed in nuclei isolated from murine erythroleukemia cells. In terms of chromatin organisation, PC vesicles with neutral surface charge do not affect the structure of chromatin fibres, whereas negatively charged PS vesicles induce chromatin decondensation to a great extent. Indeed the fibres appear uniformly dispersed lacking also the perinucleolar heterochromatin. These morphological features are accompanied by depletion of lysine-rich histones H1 and H1(0) and of histone-like protein A5, due to PS liposomes. Functionally, PS vesicles induce enhancement both of total RNA and specific mRNA synthesis, as analysed by in vitro transcription of beta globin gene. On the contrary, PC vesicles do not seem to affect significantly total RNA and globin mRNA synthesis. These observations fit well with previous data obtained in other experimental systems, and support both the use of these molecules as probes for chromatin structure and function and their possible involvement in transcriptional events.

Topics: Amanitins; Animals; Cell Nucleus; Chromatin; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases; Friend murine leukemia virus; Globins; In Vitro Techniques; Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute; Liposomes; Mice; Microscopy, Electron; Phosphatidylserines; Protein Biosynthesis; RNA, Neoplasm; Transcription, Genetic

A small proportion of the RNAs of mouse reticulocytes consists of beta major-globin mRNA sequences linked to sequences transcribed from the 5'-flanking region of the beta major-globin gene. These upstream RNAs are polyadenylylated and contain 700-800 nucleotides, and their 5' regions are heterogeneous. RNAs with similar or identical 5' regions are transcribed in cell-free extracts from a circular mouse beta major-globin gene template. Synthesis of most of the upstream RNAs in vitro is not inhibited by low levels (1 microgram/ml) of alpha-amanitin, indicating that they are transcribed by an enzyme(s) different from RNA polymerase II. During culture of mouse erythroleukemia cells with dimethyl sulfoxide, globin mRNA and upstream RNAs accumulate with similar kinetics. In contrast, upstream RNAs are not detected in hemin-treated cells.

Topics: Amanitins; Animals; Base Sequence; Cell Line; Genes; Globins; HeLa Cells; Humans; Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute; Leukemia, Experimental; Mice; Molecular Weight; Plasmids; RNA, Messenger; Transcription, Genetic