Sense and antisense modification of glial alpha B-crystallin production results in alterations of stress fiber formation and thermoresistance

J Cell Biol. 1994 Jun;125(6):1385-93. doi: 10.1083/jcb.125.6.1385.

Abstract

The phenotypic effects of selectively altering the levels of alpha B-crystallin in cultured glial cells were analyzed using sense and antisense approaches. Rat C6 glioma cells and human U-373MG glioma cells were transfected with a rat alpha B-crystallin sense cDNA or an antisense cDNA regulated by a Rous sarcoma virus promoter to alter cellular levels of alpha B-crystallin. The antisense strategy resulted in decreased alpha B-crystallin levels, as revealed by Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses. The reduced alpha B-crystallin expression was accompanied by alterations in cellular phenotype: (a) a reduction of cell size and/or a slender cell morphology; (b) a disorganized microfilament network; and (c) a reduction of cell adhesiveness. Like HSP27, the presence of additional alpha B-crystallin protein confers a thermoresistant phenotype to stable transfectants. Thus, alpha B-crystallin in glioma cells plays a role in their thermal resistance and may contribute to the stability of cytoskeletal organization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Crystallins / biosynthesis*
  • Crystallins / genetics
  • Cytoskeleton / physiology
  • DNA, Antisense / genetics
  • DNA, Antisense / pharmacology
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / genetics
  • Hot Temperature / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Neuroglia / cytology
  • Neuroglia / drug effects
  • Neuroglia / physiology*
  • Neuroglia / ultrastructure
  • Rats
  • Transfection
  • Transformation, Genetic
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Crystallins
  • DNA, Antisense
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Heat-Shock Proteins