Regulation of c-fgr proto-oncogene expression in Epstein-Barr virus infected B-cell lines.
We and others have previously shown that in vitro conversion of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-negative Burkitt lymphoma (BL) cell lines with the immortalizing B95-8 strain of EBV results in a marked elevation in levels of c-fgr proto-oncogene mRNA. We now show, using a nuclear run-off assay, that this induction results from an increase in the rate of transcription of the c-fgr gene. We also show that BL cell lines freshly converted with the non-immortalizing HR-I strain of EBV do not accumulate higher levels of c-fgr mRNA, suggesting that EBNA-2 and/or LMP, the genes which are deleted in the HR-I strain, may be involved in the pathway which leads to changes in c-fgr gene expression. In order to assess the generality of a role for the c-fgr gene in the response of B-lymphocytes to EBV-infection, which is controversial, we have analysed c-fgr expression in 6 freshly immortalized cell lines established by EBV (B95-8) infection of B-lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of normal adults and of adults with rheumatoid arthritis, from cord blood, and from foetal liver. All 6 cell lines expressed c-fgr mRNA at elevated levels compared to EBV-negative BL cell lines.
Patel
M
M
Department of Biochemistry, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, London, UK.
Leevers
S J
SJ
Brickell
P M
PM
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins; D019061:src-Family Kinases
D000956:Antigens, Viral; C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins; C053102:proto-oncogene proteins c-fgr; D019061:src-Family Kinases