Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

DNA topological linking numbers in malignantly transformed Syrian hamster cells

  • Published:
Molecular and General Genetics MGG Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The topological linking numbers in closed superhelical loops of nuclear DNA were measured as the density of DNA topological turns (‘titratable superhelical turns’) per unit length of DNA by means of sedimentation of superhelical DNA (in nucleoids) in gradients of 15–30% sucrose containing 1.95 M NaCl and various concentrations of ethidium bromide.

In four malignantly transformed Syrian hamster cell lines (three SV40-transformed and one spontaneous) the density of DNA topological turns was equal to or higher than the density of DNA topological. turns in early passage embryonal Syrian hamster cells (|δ|≧0.076) and, in contrast to normal cells, the malignant ones did not decrease the density of their DNA topological turns upon cultivation. It is proposed that the persistence of high densities of DNA topological turns in malignant cells is responsible for activation of transcription of a number of genes during malignant transformation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bauer W, Vinograd J (1968) The interaction of closed circular DNA with intercalative dyes. I. The superhelix density of SV40 DNA in the presence and absence of dye. J Mol Biol 33:141–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell E, Marek LF, Levinstone DS, Merill C, Sher S, Young IT, Eden M (1978) Loss of division potential in vitro: Aging or differentiation? Science 202:1158–1163

    Google Scholar 

  • Botchan P (1976) An electron microscopic composition of transcription of linear and superhelical DNA. J Mol Biol 105:161–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook PR, Brazell IA, Jost E (1976) Characterization of nuclear structures containing superhelical DNA. J Cell Sci 22:303–324

    Google Scholar 

  • Glaser VM, Luchnik AN (1980) Alteration of DNA topological linking number during murine erythroleukemia differentiation (in Russian). Dokl Akad Nauk SSSR 250:1247–1250

    Google Scholar 

  • Glaser VM, Luchnik AN (1981) Decrease in the density of DNA topological turns during in vitro aging of Syrian hamster cells. Exp Cell Res (in press)

  • Grady LJ, Campbell WP (1973) Non-repetitive DNA transcription in mouse cells grown in tissue culture. Nature New Biol 243:195–198

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray HB, Upholt WB, Vinograd J (1971) A buoyant method for the determination of the superhelix density of closed circular DNA. J Mol Biol 62:1–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Groudine M, Weintraub H (1980) Activation of cellular genes by avian RNA tumor viruses. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 77:5351–5354

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinton DM, Bode VC (1975) Purification of closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid and its sedimentation properties as a function of sodium chloride concentration and ethidium binding. J Biol Chem 250:1071–1079

    Google Scholar 

  • Ibsen KH, Fishman WH (1979) Developmental gene expression in cancer. Biochem Biophys Acta 560:243–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Luchnik AN (1980a) Conformational transitions in closed circular DNA molecules. I. Topological and energetical considerations. Mol Biol Rep 6:3–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Luchnik AN (1980b) Conformational transitions in clonsed circular DNA molecules. II. Biological implications. Mol Biol Rep 6:11–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Luchnik AN, Glaser VM (1980) Decrease in the number of DNA topological turns during Friend erythroleukemia differentiation. Mol Gen Genet 178:459–463

    Google Scholar 

  • Rheinwald JG, Green H (1977) Epidermal growth factor and the multiplication of cultured human epidermal keratinocytes. Nature 265:421–424

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanzey B (1979) Modulation of gene expression by drugs affecting deoxyribonucleic acid gyrase. J Bacteriol 138:40–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith CL, Kubo M, Imamoto F (1978) Promoter-specific inhibition of transcription by antibiotics which act on DNA gyrase. Nature 275:420–423

    Google Scholar 

  • Upholt WB, Gray HB, Vinograd J (1971) Sedimentation velocity behaviour of closed circular SV40 DNA as a function of superhelix density, ionic strength, counterion and temperature. J Mol Biol 62:21–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang H-L, Heller K, Gellert M, Zubay G (1979) Differential sensitivity of gene expression in vitro to inhibitors of DNA gyrase. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 76:3304–3308

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Andrey N. Luchnik

    Present address: Laboratory of Biochemistry, Institute of Developmental Biology, Vavilov st. 26, 117334, Moscow, USSR

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, 117234, Moscow, USSR

    Andrey N. Luchnik & Vadim M. Glaser

Authors
  1. Andrey N. Luchnik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Vadim M. Glaser
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by H. Böhme

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Luchnik, A.N., Glaser, V.M. DNA topological linking numbers in malignantly transformed Syrian hamster cells. Molec. Gen. Genet. 183, 553–556 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00268781

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00268781

Keywords

Search

Navigation