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Characteristic chromosomal fragility of human embryonic cells exposed in vitro to aphidicolin
D Caporossi1, P Vernole, B Nicoletti
1Department of Public Health and Cellular Biology, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
The frequency and distribution of aphidicolin (APC)-induced common fragile sites (cfs) were analyzed in human embryonic cells of different origins. Embryonic lung fibroblasts (MRC-5), amniocytes (AMINO) and embryonic retina cells (HERO790) are as sensitive to the APC-induced clastogenic effect as peripheral lymphocytes, whereas embryonic kidney cells (HEK) seem more resistant to the induction of chromosomal gaps and breaks by the drug. Analysis of the distribution of fragile sites confirmed that the expression of specific APC-induced cfs varies in different cells and that the embryonic cell strains show a greater similarity among themselves than to lymphocytes. In addition, HEK, MRC-5, HERO790 and AMINO cells show specific APC induction of the cfs at the 1p31.2 chromosomal band, which seems to be a distinctive feature of the embryonic stage of cells.
Insights
Aphidicolin (APC)-induced common fragile sites (cfs) show varied distribution in human embryonic cells. Embryonic cells share similarities in cfs expression, with a specific site at 1p31.2 being characteristic of the embryonic stage.
Area of Science:
- Human genetics
- Cell biology
- Cytogenetics
Background:
- Common fragile sites (cfs) are specific chromosomal regions prone to breakage.
- Aphidicolin (APC) is a known clastogen that induces cfs expression.
- Understanding cfs distribution in different human cell types is crucial for genetic research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the frequency and distribution of APC-induced cfs in various human embryonic cell lines.
- To compare cfs patterns between different embryonic cell types and peripheral lymphocytes.
- To identify potential unique cfs characteristics associated with the embryonic developmental stage.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of human embryonic fibroblasts (MRC-5), amniocytes (AMINO), retina cells (HERO790), and kidney cells (HEK) with aphidicolin (APC).
- Cytogenetic analysis to detect and map APC-induced chromosomal gaps and breaks (cfs).
- Comparative analysis of cfs distribution across different cell types and with peripheral lymphocytes.
Main Results:
- Human embryonic cells (MRC-5, AMINO, HERO790) exhibited sensitivity to APC-induced clastogenicity, similar to peripheral lymphocytes.
- Embryonic kidney cells (HEK) showed relative resistance to the induction of chromosomal gaps and breaks by APC.
- Specific APC-induced cfs patterns varied among cell types, with embryonic strains showing greater similarity to each other than to lymphocytes.
- A distinct APC induction of cfs at the 1p31.2 chromosomal band was observed in all tested embryonic cell lines (HEK, MRC-5, HERO790, AMINO).
Conclusions:
- The expression of APC-induced cfs is cell-type specific, even within embryonic cell populations.
- Embryonic cell strains share common fragile site characteristics distinct from peripheral lymphocytes.
- The specific induction of cfs at the 1p31.2 band appears to be a hallmark of the human embryonic cellular stage.