Differential expression of Raf-1 protooncogene in resting and activated human leukocyte populations

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Experimental Cell Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-4827(91)90366-3· OSTI ID:5268836

Colotta, F; Polentarutti, N; Mantovani, A ^[1]

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1. Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milano (Italy)

In this study the authors examined by Northern blot analysis the expression of Raf-1 protooncogene in normal human peripheral blood leukocytes. Unlike thymocytes, circulating lymphocytes did not express appreciable levels of Raf-1 mRNA. In contrast, polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) had high levels of Raf-1 transcripts. Also density gradient separated monocytes showed Raf-1 mRNA but at lower levels compared to PMN. Expression of Raf-1 was constitutive inasmuch as it was not induced by the purification procedure. The half-life of Raf-1 mRNA in PMN was > 4 h. Functional activation of PMN and monocytes with various stimuli (phorbol esters, tumor necrosis factor, colony stimulating factors, LPS) did not affect Raf-1 expression. Circulating lymphocytes stimulated with mitogens also expressed high levels of transcripts of this protooncogene. PHA-induced transcripts in lymphocytes had an half-life > 4 h. The pattern of expression of Raf-1 resting and activated leukocytes suggests that this protooncogene may play a role in expression of differentiated functions and activation of these cells.

• OSTI ID: 5268836
• Journal Information: Experimental Cell Research; (United States), Journal Name: Experimental Cell Research; (United States) Vol. 194:2; ISSN ECREA; ISSN 0014-4827
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550400* -- Genetics
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY FLUIDS
CARCINOGENS
CHEMICAL ACTIVATION
ESTERS
GENE REGULATION
GENES
GROWTH FACTORS
LEUKOCYTES
MAMMALS
MAN
MATERIALS
MESSENGER-RNA
MITOGENS
NEUTROPHILS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ONCOGENES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHORBOL ESTERS
PRIMATES
PROTEINS
RNA
SOMATIC CELLS
THYMOCYTES
TRANSCRIPTION
VERTEBRATES