Transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms are responsible for the increased expression of c-myc protooncogene in lymphocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have increased expression of the c-myc protooncogene. The factors which are responsible for the accumulation of c-myc mRNA levels in SLE MNC, however, have not been determined. We have investigated the steady-state mRNA accumulation, nuclear transcription rate, rate of mRNA degradation as well as methylation status for the c-myc protooncogene in patients with SLE. Increased transcription rate of c-myc protooncogene and slow degradation rate of c-myc mRNA both appear to contribute to the accumulation of c-myc RNA in peripheral blood MNC of patients with SLE. Site-specific methylation of the human c-myc protooncogene in patients with SLE does not differ from that of normal controls. These findings provide evidence for both transcriptional and post-transcriptional alterations of c-myc protooncogene expression in human SLE.
Eleftheriades
E G
EG
Kidney Disease Section, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Boumpas
D T
DT
Balow
J E
JE
Tsokos
G C
GC
D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012313:RNA