L5178Y sublines: a look back from 40 years. Part 1: General characteristics

Abstract

The aim was to review and summarize the results of studies done over the last 40 years concerning the general characteristics and response to ultraviolet C (UV-C) radiation and hydrogen peroxide of the pair of L5178Y (LY) sublines, LY-R and LY-S, that differ in their sensitivity to various DNA damaging agents. (The response of the sublines to ionizing radiation is described in the second part of the paper.) Comparison of subline karyotypes shows a number of differences in their banding patterns. The sublines differ in their ion transport, the ganglioside pattern of plasma membranes, and in the content and turnover rate of poly(adenosine diphosphoribose) polymers. Nuclear matrix proteins show a differential affinity to these polymers. A unique property of the pair of LY sublines is an inverse cross-sensitivity to X-rays and hydrogen peroxide, with cross-sensitivities to hydrogen peroxide and UV-C, as well as to UV-C and a platinum (Pt) complex (cisplatin analogue). Initial DNA damage and repair and various aspects of the cellular response of the sublines were determined in cells damaged with these agents. The higher sensitivity of LY-R cells to hydrogen peroxide, as compared with LY-S cells, is causally related to the higher content of iron ions in these cells and a less efficient anti-oxidant defence system (including a lower catalase activity). Sensitivity of LY-R cells to UV-C radiation and Pt complexes is explained by impaired excision repair (the incision step is missing).

Role of Immunogenic Fetuin A on L5178Y-R Lymphoma Tumorigenesis

“…This conversion also involves alterations in cell sensitivity to other physical factors, such as ultraviolet light, hydrogen peroxide, and short exposure to heat, and has been thoroughly reviewed by Szumiel (5,6). It has been proven that loss of tumorigenicity in LY-R cells is related to lack of expression of a single tumor antigen in their surface, a 64-kDa membrane glycoprotein, which is affected by the source of fetal serum supplemented to the culture medium, since only LY-R cultured in media supplemented with fetal horse serum, but not fetal calf serum, conserved their tumorigenic properties in vivo (4).…”

The contribution of women to radiobiology: Marie Curie and beyond

“…Her main interests cover factors determining mammalian cell sensitivity to ionizing radiation in a model of mouse leukemia L5178Y (LY)-consisting of 2 sublines differing in susceptibility to cytotoxic agents and DNA repair. 53,54 She studies DNA repair, cell signaling, and radiosensitivity markers. Irena Szumiel has authored a number of reviews on the subject.…”

Nonhomologous end-joining deficiency of L5178Y-S cells is not associated with mutation in the ABCDE autophosphorylation cluster.

“…The ionising radiation-hypersensitive L5178Y-S (LY-S) cell line was isolated from the parental L5178Y line (later called LY-R) and characterised by Alexander and Mikulski (1961). The 40-year studies on these cells have recently been reviewed (Szumiel, 2005a;2005b). Although it is clear that the reason for the radiation sensitivity of LY-S cells is an impaired DNA DSB repair (Evans et al, 1987;Wlodek & Hittelman, 1987;1988b), the molecular defect remains unknown.…”