Tumorigenicity in human melanoma cell lines controlled by introduction of human chromosome 6
Article Abstract:
Most researchers now believe that several distinct steps must take place in order for a normal cell to be transformed into a malignant tumor. Some scientists also believe that there are genes which serve to suppress tumor formation, but these genes have received less attention than the so-called proto-oncogenes, which play a direct role in the formation of some tumors. It has been shown that the introduction of human chromosome 6 into human malignant melanoma cells can change the observable characteristics of the cultured cells, and that these cells lose their ability to form tumors when injected into mice. Researchers prepared hybrid cells by fusing mouse and human cells; they then selected for cells which contained mostly mouse chromosomes, except for human chromosome 6. These hybrid cells were then used to transfer chromosome 6 into the recipient melanoma cell. Although melanoma cells normally form tumors when injected into genetically athymic (nude) mice, the cells containing chromosome 6 did not. Further culture yielded cells which had lost their copy of chromosome 6; these cells regained their tumorigenic activity. This suggests that one or more genes located on chromosome 6 play an essential role in the pathogenesis of malignant melanoma. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Science
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0036-8075
Year: 1990
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Activation of proto-oncogenes: an immediate early event in human cytomegalovirus infection
Article Abstract:
The discovery of normal cellular genes which are similar to the cancer-causing genes (oncogenes) of some viruses has stimulated much research in recent years. These normal genes, called proto-oncogenes, seem to play a role in the normal regulation of cell proliferation, and it is thought that many cancer-causing entities may work by interfering with the operation of these genes. Human cytomegalovirus has now been shown to activate proto-oncogenes in cell culture. Using radioactive complimentary DNA probes, researchers were able to identify RNA derived from the proto-oncogenes called c-fos, c-jun, and c-myc. When the normally quiescent human lung cells were infected with cytomegalovirus, the level of these RNA molecules rose dramatically in less than two hours, indicating that this effect is among the first induced by the virus after it successfully enters the cell. Treatments which inhibited protein synthesis did not affect the activation of the proto-oncogenes, so the process is not dependent on the synthesis of new viral proteins. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Science
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0036-8075
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
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