title: Changes in c-myc and c-fos expression in a human tumor cell line following exposure to bifunctional alkylating agents.
abstract: This study was initiated to determine if DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents can suppress the expression of oncogenes. The effects of three structurally related bifunctional alkylating agents on the steady state mRNA levels of c-myc, c-fos, N-ras, and beta-actin in the human colon carcinoma cell line Colo320HSR were examined. Colo320HSR has an amplified c-myc oncogene, which is highly overexpressed, and is assumed to be one of the transforming genes of this cell line. Two concentrations of mechlorethamine, L-phenylalanine mustard, and 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, which produced 1 or 3 log cell kills were used to examine the effects of drug exposure on the expression of specific genes. Steady state mRNA levels were measured by Northern blot analysis. Following a 1-h drug exposure, RNA was isolated from cells at 0, 6, 12, and 24 h following drug removal. The agents used produced changes in the expression of specific genes, and all three did so in a similar fashion. Immediately following drug removal, the steady state expression of c-myc in treated cells was increased 2- to 3-fold compared to control. At 6 and 12 h following drug removal, c-myc levels were depressed 2.5- to 5-fold. By 24 h, c-myc expression approached, but remained below, control levels. Immediately following drug removal, c-fos levels were increased 3- to 4-fold, and from 6 to 24 h following drug removal, c-fos levels gradually return to, or fell below low basal levels. During the 24-h time course, drug treatment had little or no effect on the steady state levels of N-ras or beta-actin. These data support the hypothesis that alkylating agents may suppress the expression of specific transforming genes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Loyola University of Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois 60153.
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Futscher
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Erickson
mesh_terms: D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002460:Cell Line; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008558:Melphalan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes / Q000187:drug effects*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D008466:Mechlorethamine; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D008558:Melphalan