Related Experiment Videos
Down regulation of lamins A and C by murine interferon beta
L C Alldridge1, M K O'Farrell, G B Dealtry
1Department of Biology, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Treatment of spontaneously differentiated PSMB embryonal carcinoma cells with murine interferon beta results in a transient decrease in the expression of the nuclear lamins A and C. Reduced levels of mRNAs were observed 4 h after the addition of interferon beta, with reductions in the polypeptides and assembled proteins within the nuclear lamina seen after 8 h of treatment. Expression of the 72-kDa (lamin A) and the 62-kDa (lamin C) polypeptides remained down regulated for 8 h, returning to control levels after 16 h of interferon treatment. The specificity of this response is indicated by the inhibitory action of a neutralizing antibody to interferon.
Insights
Murine interferon beta transiently decreases nuclear lamins A and C expression in embryonal carcinoma cells. This effect on lamin proteins and mRNA is specific and reversible within 16 hours.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Nuclear lamins A and C are crucial structural proteins of the nuclear lamina.
- Interferon beta is a cytokine with known roles in immune response and cell regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of murine interferon beta on the expression of nuclear lamins A and C in embryonal carcinoma cells.
- To determine the time course and specificity of this regulatory interaction.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of differentiated PSMB embryonal carcinoma cells with murine interferon beta.
- Analysis of messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of lamins A and C.
- Assessment of the effect of a neutralizing antibody to interferon to confirm specificity.
Main Results:
- Murine interferon beta treatment caused a transient decrease in nuclear lamins A and C mRNA levels within 4 hours.
- Polypeptide and assembled protein levels of lamins A and C were reduced by 8 hours.
- Lamin expression returned to control levels by 16 hours.
- A neutralizing antibody to interferon blocked this down-regulation, confirming specificity.
Conclusions:
- Murine interferon beta specifically and transiently down-regulates the expression of nuclear lamins A and C in embryonal carcinoma cells.
- This suggests a regulatory role for interferon beta in nuclear lamina composition.