Transforming potential of a human protooncogene (c-fps/fes) locus

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Oncogenes
• Retroviral Research

Background:

• The protooncogene c-fps/fes is a single vertebrate gene.
• It is homologous to avian sarcoma virus fps and feline sarcoma virus fes transforming genes.
• The human c-fps/fes locus has been previously cloned and characterized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the functional complementation of retroviral transforming proteins using human c-fps/fes sequences.
• To determine if a portion of the human c-fps/fes protein can substitute for the feline sarcoma virus fes transforming protein.

Main Methods:

• Construction of a recombinant gene replacing over 80% of feline sarcoma virus fes sequences with 3' human c-fps/fes sequences.
• Transformation of NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts with the recombinant gene.
• Analysis of protein kinase activity and phosphotyrosine levels in transformed cells.

Main Results:

• The recombinant gene successfully transformed NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts.
• The transformed cells exhibited increased phosphotyrosine levels.
• The recombinant protein encoded by the gene possessed protein kinase activity.

Conclusions:

• A significant carboxyl portion of the human c-fps/fes protein product can functionally complement a retroviral transforming protein.
• This finding highlights the conserved functional domains within oncogenes across different species.
• The study provides insights into the mechanism of retroviral transformation and oncogene function.