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Inhibition of Rous sarcoma-virus-induced transformation by proteins involved in blood coagulation
Abstract:
Plasma, serum and the main proteins involved in the final steps of blood coagulation, fibrinogen, thrombin and plasma transglutaminase, have been tested for their ability to inhibit cell transformation and/or to induce reversion of the transformed to the normal phenotype in RSV-infected chicken embryo fibroblasts. The results obtained show that plasma, and not serum, fibrinogen, when converted to fibrin by thrombin, and activated transglutaminase alone prevent focus appearance and cause reversion of transformed to normal cell morphology.
Insights
Plasma and its components, fibrinogen and transglutaminase, can reverse cancer-like cell changes in RSV-infected cells. These blood proteins inhibit cell transformation and promote reversion to normal cell morphology.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cell transformation, a hallmark of cancer, involves changes in cell morphology and uncontrolled growth.
- Chicken embryo fibroblasts infected with Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) are a model system for studying cell transformation.
- Blood components, including plasma and serum proteins, are investigated for potential anti-cancer properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ability of plasma, serum, and key coagulation proteins to inhibit cell transformation.
- To determine if these factors can induce reversion of transformed cells to a normal phenotype.
- To identify specific components responsible for anti-transformation effects in RSV-infected cells.
Main Methods:
- Testing plasma, serum, fibrinogen, thrombin, and plasma transglutaminase on RSV-infected chicken embryo fibroblasts.
- Assessing the inhibition of focus formation (a measure of transformation).
- Evaluating the reversion of transformed cell morphology to normal.
Main Results:
- Plasma demonstrated the ability to inhibit cell transformation and induce reversion.
- Serum did not exhibit significant anti-transformation or reversion effects.
- Fibrinogen (converted to fibrin by thrombin) and activated transglutaminase alone were effective in preventing focus appearance and restoring normal cell morphology.
Conclusions:
- Plasma contains factors that can reverse oncogenic transformation in chicken embryo fibroblasts.
- Fibrinogen and activated transglutaminase are key components in plasma responsible for these anti-transformation effects.
- These findings suggest potential therapeutic applications of specific blood proteins in cancer treatment.