Nuclear colocalization of c-myc protein and hsp70 in cells transfected with human wild-type and mutant c-myc genes

• Using immunofluorescence and electron microscopy we have studied the localization of wild-type and mutant c-myc proteins transiently expressed in CV-1 cells. In agreement with our previous observations, wild-type c-myc protein accumulated in large amorphous globules in the nucleus. All mutant proteins tested accumulated in the nucleus as well, but gave rise to morphologically different inclusion bodies. Many small globules appeared in cells transfected with D145-262 (deletion of amino acids 145-262), while cells transfected with D371-412 or D414-433 generated structures looking like a fine network or like beads on a string. In addition, a particulate cytoplasmic staining appeared in some cells transfected with the wild-type gene and in cells transfected with mutants D145-262 or D414-433. Since the c-myc protein has been reported to stimulate expression of exogenous hsp70 protein, we also examined the intracellular distribution of hsp70 in the transfected cells. Double immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that hsp70 codistributed with the c-myc protein in distinct globules in the nucleus of many but not all myc-positive cells. However, the levels of hsp70 transcripts were not significantly raised compared to nontransfected and vector-transfected cells. Likewise, the levels of hsp70 protein did not vary significantly. These findings indicate that overexpression of c-myc stimulates translocation of preexisting hsp70 from the cytoplasm into the nucleus, rather than influencing hsp70 expression. Conceivably, this may represent one of several mechanisms whereby the cell deals with excessive amounts of c-myc protein.

Keyword

Animals

Cell Line

Cell Nucleus

Cytoplasm

Genes, myc

Heat-Shock Proteins

Humans

Microscopy, Electron

Microscopy, Fluorescence

Mutation

Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc

Transfection

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)