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Title: Chemical carcinogen-induced changes in TRNA metabolism in human cells. Interim technical report 1 Oct 82-30 Sep 83

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6815559

It is hypothesized that transfer RNAs mediate endogenous promotion of carcinogenesis subsequent to chemical carcinogen initiation, and that without the appropriate changes in tRNA metabolism, the ultimate expression of the neoplastic state will not be attained. Current studies are concentrating on tRNA ribosyltransferase modification reactions which are considered to be the pivotal molecular aberrations in this process. A normal human cell culture model system responsive to phorbol ester tumor promoters was developed which allows the evaluation of the role of tRNA in promotion of carcinogenesis. Chronic exposure to the tumor promoters induces a transient 5 to 10-fold increase in the saturation density of human cells if the treatment is initiated at early population doublings in culture in medium supplemented with elevated levels of specific amino acids. A significant decrease in queuine modification in the anticodon of cellular tRNAs precedes the transient 5 to 10-fold increase saturation density, and queuine modification increases prior to the subsequent decrease in saturation density. The increase in queuine modification correlates to the induction of an endogenous queuine salvage pathway. Most importantly, the addition of excess exogenous queuine inhibits the transient increase in saturation density induced by the tumor promoters, i.e., it blocks the expression of a transformed phenotype.

Research Organization:
Ohio State Univ. Research Foundation, Columbus (USA)
OSTI ID:
6815559
Report Number(s):
AD-A-138715/8
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English