Presence of a Kirsten murine sarcoma virus ras oncogene in cells transformed by 3-methylcholanthrene
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Molecular and Cellular Biology
|December 1, 1983
Abstract:
Oncogenes have previously been reported in the DNAs of mouse fibroblast lines which had become transformed after in vitro exposure to the carcinogen 3-methylcholanthrene. These oncogenes are now shown to be versions of the cellular Kirsten ras gene and are therefore homologous to oncogenes detected in a variety of human tumor DNAs.
Insights
Carcinogen exposure created oncogenes in mouse cells. These oncogenes are versions of the cellular Kirsten ras gene, similar to those found in human tumors.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Oncology
- Carcinogenesis
Background:
- Oncogenes have been identified in mouse fibroblast cell lines transformed by the carcinogen 3-methylcholanthrene.
- These previously reported oncogenes were found in the DNA of these transformed cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the specific cellular genes corresponding to the oncogenes found in 3-methylcholanthrene-transformed mouse fibroblasts.
- To determine the relationship between these mouse oncogenes and known human oncogenes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of DNA from mouse fibroblast cell lines exposed to 3-methylcholanthrene.
- Comparison of the identified oncogenes with known cellular genes, including the Kirsten ras gene.
- Homology studies to compare mouse oncogenes with human tumor-derived oncogenes.
Main Results:
- The oncogenes detected in the transformed mouse fibroblast DNA are identified as versions of the cellular Kirsten ras gene.
- These oncogenes show homology to oncogenes previously found in various human tumor DNA samples.
Conclusions:
- The cellular Kirsten ras gene can be activated into an oncogene by chemical carcinogens.
- The findings suggest a conserved mechanism of oncogene activation involving the ras gene family across species, relevant to human cancer development.