Screening of a human erythroleukemia cell cDNA library with radiolabeled chicken P2Y 3 cDNA at low stringency revealed a cDNA clone encoding a novel G protein-coupled receptor with homology to P2 purinoceptors. This receptor, designated P2Y 7 , has 352 amino acids and shares 23-30% amino acid identity with the P2Y 1 -P2Y 6 purinoceptors. The P2Y 7 cDNA was transiently expressed in COS-7 cells: binding studies thereon showed a very high affinity for ATP (37 ؎ 6 nM), much less for UTP and ADP (ϳ1300 nM), and a novel rank order of affinities in the binding series studied of 8 nucleotides and suramin. The P2Y 7 receptor sequence appears to denote a different subfamily from that of all the other known P2Y purinoceptors, with only a few of their characteristic sequence motifs shared. The P2Y 7 receptor mRNA is abundantly present in the human heart and the skeletal muscle, moderately in the brain and liver, but not in the other tissues tested. The P2Y 7 receptor mRNA was also abundantly present in the rat heart and cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. The P2Y 7 receptor is functionally coupled to phospholipase C in COS-7 cells transiently expressing this receptor. The P2Y 7 gene was shown to be localized to human chromosome 14. We have thus cloned a unique member of the P2Y purinoceptor family which probably plays a role in the regulation of cardiac muscle contraction.The widespread occurrence of metabotropic receptors for extracellular ATP has long been inferred from physiological and pharmacological evidence (1). A number of such G proteincoupled ATP receptors have been characterized and a consensus on their nomenclature has termed all of these as P2Y purinoceptors (to be individually named P2Y 1 to P2Y n ), regardless of previous terminology such as P 2U or P 2T for subclasses thereof (2). The first such receptors to be characterized by DNA cloning and expression were the P2Y 1 receptor (where UTP is inactive) (3) and the P2Y 2 receptor (ATP and UTP are equally active) (4). True species homologues (or orthologues) of P2Y 1 have since been obtained, e.g. bovine (5) and human (6), and of P2Y 2 , e.g. from human airway epithelium (7) or human erythroleukemia (HEL) 1 cells (8). Further types identified by cloning have been the P2Y 3 receptor (UDP Ͼ ADP Ͼ ATP) (9) and P2Y 4 (UTP Ͼ Ͼ ATP, and more strongly related to P2Y 2 ) (10, 11). Further novel P2Y receptors have recently been identified from their cDNAs from chicken activated T lymphocytes (12) and rat vascular smooth muscle cells (13) and designated P2Y 5 and P2Y 6 receptors. Previously we have demonstrated at least three P2 purinoceptors on the hematopoietic cell line, HEL cells, by intracellular calcium mobilization and by photoaffinity labeling (8). Here we report the molecular cloning and characterization of one of these, a novel P2 purinergic receptor designated P2Y 7 .

In these studies we show that introduction of a normal human chromosome 6 or 6q can suppress the immortal phenotype of simian virus 40-transformed human fibroblasts (SV/HF). Normal human fibroblasts have a limited life span in culture. Immortal clones of SV/HF displayed nonrandom rearrangements in chromosome 6. Single human chromosomes present in mouse/human monochromosomal hybrids were introduced into SV/HF via microcell fusion and maintained by selection for a dominant selectable marker gpt, previously integrated into the human chromosome. Clones of SV/HF cells bearing chromosome 6 displayed limited potential for cell division and morphological characteristics of senescent cells. The loss of chromosome 6 from the suppressed clones correlated with the reappearance of immortal clones. Introduced chromosome 6 in the senescing cells was distinguished from those of parental cells by the analysis for DNA sequences specific for the donor chromosome. Our results further show that suppression of immortal phenotype in SV/HF is specific to chromosome 6. Introduction of individual human chromosomes 2, 8, or 19 did not impart cellular senescence in SV/HF. In addition, introduction of chromosome 6 into human glioblastoma cells did not lead to senescence. Based upon these results we propose that at least one of the genes (SEN6) for cellular senescence in human fibroblasts is present on the long arm of chromosome 6.

Adipose tissue plays a critical role in energy and metabolic homeostasis, but it is challenging to adapt techniques to modulate adipose function in vivo. Here we develop an in vivo, systemic method of gene transfer specifically targeting adipose tissue using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. We constructed AAV vectors containing CMV promoter regulated reporter genes, intravenously injected adult mice with vectors using multiple AAV serotypes, and determined that AAV2/8 best targeted adipose tissue. Altering vectors to contain adiponectin promoter/enhancer elements and liver specific microRNA-122 target sites restricted reporter gene expression to adipose tissue. As proof of efficacy, the leptin gene was incorporated into the adipose-targeted expression vector, package into AAV2/8, and administered intravenously to 9-10 week old ob/ob mice. Phenotypic changes were measured over an eight week period. Leptin mRNA and protein were expressed in adipose and leptin protein was secreted into plasma. Mice responded with reversal of weight gain, decreased hyperinsulinemia, and improved glucose tolerance. AAV2/8-mediated systemic delivery of an adipose-targeted expression vector can replace a gene lacking in adipose tissue and correct a mouse model of human disease, demonstrating experimental application and therapeutic potential in disorders of adipose.

Isolates contained fiber genes similar to those of adenovirus strains that cause infectious diarrhea in humans.

No abstract

We have mapped a cellular senescence gene, SEN16, within a genetic distance of 3 ± 7 cM, at 16q24.3. Microcell mediated transfer of a normal human chromosome 16, 16q22-qter or 16q23-qter restored cellular senescence in four immortal cell lines, derived from human and rat mammary tumors. The resumption of inde®nite cell proliferation, concordant with the segregation of the donor chromosome, con®rmed the presence of a senescence gene at 16q23-qter. While microcell hybrids were maintained in selection medium to retain the donor chromosome, sporadic immortal revertant clones arose among senescent cells. Reversion to immortal growth could occur due to inactivation of the senescence gene either by a mutation or a deletion. The analysis for chromosome 16 speci®c DNA markers, in revertant clones of senescent microcell hybrids, revealed a consensus deletion, spanning a genetic interval of approximately 3 ± 7 cM at 16q24.3.

E1-deleted adenovirus vectors can be created from a wide variety of ape adenoviruses that can be rescued and propagated in HEK 293 cells. The prevalence of pre-existing antibodies that can neutralize these adenoviruses in human populations is low.

No abstract