The Thy-1 glycoprotein is expressed in mouse embryonal carcinoma cells P19.
Thy-1 is a well characterized glycoprotein known to be variably expressed on the surface of different cell types. Serological analysis of a limited number of teratocarcinoma-derived cell lines suggested that mouse embryonal carcinoma cells do not express Thy-1 and that its expression is associated with the appearance of differentiated cells. In this report we show that monoclonal antibody 1aG4, recognizing Thy-1.2 epitope, binds specifically to P19 embryonal carcinoma cells and their undifferentiated subclones. A number of control experiments confirmed that 1aG4 antibody binds to the Thy-1.2 glycoprotein expressed on the surface of P19 embryonal carcinoma cells and not to the antigen expressed on differentiated derivatives of these cells or to a cross-reactive epitope. Transcriptional activity of the Thy-1 gene in undifferentiated P19 cells was shown by transfection experiments in which transfer of the Thy-1.1 gene into P19 cells resulted in stable expression of the Thy-1.1 antigen on the surface of recipient cells. Direct evidence for the presence of Thy 1 mRNA in P19 cells was obtained by Northern blot analysis with a Thy-1-specific cDNA probe. Treatment of P19 cells with retinoic acid resulted in a decrease in the expression of Thy-1 antigen which preceded changes in morphology of the cells. These data indicate that Thy-1 is a developmentally regulated surface marker of P19 embryonal carcinoma cells which is amenable to direct genetic analysis.
Dráber
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Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague.
Malý
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Hausner
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Pokorná
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D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015342:DNA Probes; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013724:Teratoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015342:DNA Probes; D000939:Epitopes; D007518:Isoantibodies; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens; C035678:anti-Thy antibody; D014212:Tretinoin