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Alteration of cellular gene expression in adenovirus transformed cells by post-transcriptional mechanisms
Abstract:
We have isolated cDNA clones complementary to human mRNAs that are expressed at elevated levels in 293 cells, adenovirus-transformed human embryonic kidney cells, as compared to a normal counterpart of this cell line. Approximately 200 clones out of 100,000 that were screened were positive; 40 of these were isolated, of which 31 were determined to be unique and were further characterized. Each clone detected a mRNA that was 5 to 50 times more abundant in 293 cells than in the non-transformed HEK cell line. For several of these transcripts, the elevated expression appeared to be a function of transformation since they were also high in other human tumor cell lines. Strikingly, we have found that post-transcriptional control is largely responsible for the regulation of the abundance of these mRNAs.
Insights
Researchers identified human messenger RNAs (mRNAs) with significantly higher expression in adenovirus-transformed 293 cells compared to normal cells. Post-transcriptional control mechanisms were found to be the primary drivers of this elevated gene expression in transformed cells.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- 293 cells are human embryonic kidney cells transformed with adenovirus.
- Understanding gene expression changes in transformed cells is crucial for cancer research.
- Identifying differentially expressed genes can reveal mechanisms of transformation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize human cDNA clones corresponding to mRNAs overexpressed in 293 cells.
- To investigate the role of cellular transformation in regulating mRNA abundance.
- To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms controlling these elevated mRNA levels.
Main Methods:
- cDNA library screening of 293 cells versus normal HEK cells.
- Isolation and characterization of unique cDNA clones.
- Quantification of mRNA abundance using Northern blot or similar techniques (implied).
Main Results:
- Isolated 31 unique cDNA clones with elevated mRNA expression in 293 cells (5-50 fold increase).
- Confirmed elevated expression of several transcripts in other human tumor cell lines, suggesting a link to transformation.
- Demonstrated that post-transcriptional control is the predominant mechanism regulating mRNA abundance.
Conclusions:
- Adenovirus transformation leads to significant overexpression of specific human mRNAs in kidney cells.
- Elevated mRNA levels are associated with cellular transformation and observed in various tumor cell lines.
- Post-transcriptional regulation plays a key role in managing mRNA abundance during cellular transformation.