A small nuclear RNA, U5, can transform cells in vitro.
Low-molecular-weight RNA exhibiting transforming potential was identified in chemically induced lymphoma cells by the transformation of mink lung cells after transfection. The RNA was sequenced by the direct chemical method and was shown to be a small nuclear RNA, U5. The transforming potential of the RNA was further studied in quantitative transformation assays using 3Y1, a rat fibroblastic cell line. Transformed foci appeared with a latency of 3 to 4 weeks after transfection. U5-transformed 3Y1 cells frequently carried an amplified c-myc oncogene. In addition, U5 induced chromosome aberrations in transfected cells, indicating that the RNA acts as a clastogen. Transforming and clastogenic potentials were specifically inactivated when U5 was incubated with RNase H in the presence of a complementary oligonucleotide. We discuss a possible mechanism of U5-induced cell transformation.
Hamada
K
K
Department of Pathology, Hiroshima University, Japan.
Kumazaki
T
T
Mizuno
K
K
Yokoro
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004722:Endoribonucleases; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009153:Mutagens; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D016914:Ribonuclease H; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014162:Transfection
D009153:Mutagens; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear; D004722:Endoribonucleases; D016914:Ribonuclease H