2nd National Conference Human Retroviruses and Related Infections Washington, DC - January 29 - February 2, 1995

Natl Conf Hum Retrovir Relat Infect 1995 Jan 29-Feb 2;2: (abstract no. 33)

Libertin CR, Panozzo J, Groh K, Chang-Liu CM, Schreck S, Woloschak G
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153; Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439-4833

Previous work has shown the modulation of HIV-LTR transcription after exposure to neutrons and ultraviolet radiations. Using HeLa cells stably transfected with a construct containing the CAT (chloramphenicol acetyl transferase) gene, the transcription of which is mediated by the HIV-LTR, we designed experiments to examine the effect of different types of radiation (i.e. gamma rays, ultraviolet and sunlight irradiations, electromagnetic fields and microwaves) on HIV-LTR-driven CAT expression. These results demonstrated ultraviolet-light-induced transcription from the HIV promoter. Exposure to gamma rays and sunlight (with limited exposures) had no significant effect on transcription mediated by HIV-LTR, suggesting that induction of HIV is not mediated by just any type of DNA damage but rather may require specific types of DNA damage. Microwaves did not cause cell killing when cells in culture were exposed in high volumes of medium, and the same cells showed no changes in expression. When microwave exposure was carried out in low volumes of medium (so that excessive heat was generated) induction of HIV-LTR transcription was evident. Electromagnetic field exposures had no effect on expression of HIV-LTR. These results demonstrate that not all types of radiation and not all DNA-damaging agents are capable of inducing HIV. We hypothesize that inducing of HIV transcription may be mediated by several different signals after exposure to radiation.

Support by U.S.D.O.E., Office of Health and Environmental Research, Contract W-31-109-ENG-38.

Keywords: AIDS Vaccines, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Animals, Cats, Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase, DNA Damage, Electromagnetic Fields, Gamma Rays, Gene Expression, Gene Expression Regulation, Viral, HIV, HIV Infections, HIV Long Terminal Repeat, HIV Seropositivity, Hela Cells, Humans, Microwaves, Neutrons, Promoter Regions (Genetics), Sunlight, Terminal Repeat Sequences, Transcription, Genetic, Ultraviolet Rays, United States, genetics

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1995-01-29
33

Copyright © 1995 - The American Society for Microbiology. Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the American Society for Microbiology.