Polyamines are small cationic molecules required for cellular proliferation. Agmatine is a biogenic amine unique in its capacity to arrest proliferation in cell lines by depleting intracellular polyamine levels. We previously demonstrated that agmatine enters mammalian cells via the polyamine transport system. As polyamine transport is positively correlated with the rate of cellular proliferati...

Expression of the adipocyte phenotype by differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes occurs upon exposure of the cells to insulin. Differentiation-linked changes in 125I-labeled insulin binding to 3T3-L1 cells were monitored and compared with those in nondifferentiating 3T3-C2 controls treated similarly. Without chronic insulin treatment, 3T3-L1 cells failed to express the adipocyte phenotype but main...

The kinetics of Ca++ uptake have been evaluated in 3T3 and SV40-3T3 mouse cells. The data reveal at least two exchangeable cellular compartments in the 3T3 and SV40-3T3 cell over a 50-min exposure to 45Ca++. A rapidly exchanging compartment may represent surface-membrane-localized Ca++ whereas a more slowly exchanging compartment is presumably intracellular. The transition of the 3T3 cell from ...

We examined the effect of microRNAs on 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and expression of adipocyte-specific gene fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4). We screened and identified adipo-related microRNAs during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation with a microRNA microarray. High expression plasmids of miR-24 and miR-21 were constructed and transfected into 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by lipofectamine. The...

To identify molecules on the cell surface involved in negative growth regulation, we assumed that their amounts would be reduced after malignant transformation. We analyzed several proteins by fluorescence-activated cell sorter in mouse NIH 3T3 and its transformed cell lines. Surprisingly, the amount of Thy-1, a cell surface glycoprotein anchored in the cell membrane by a glycophosphatidyl inos...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Though CCR4-NOT2 (CNOT2), one of CCR4-NOT complex subunits, was known to be involved in metastasis and apoptosis through transcription and mRNA degradation, its other biological function is poorly understood so far. The aim of this study is to elucidate the molecular role of CNOT2 in the differentiation process of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS CNOT2 was overexpress...

Rodent cells are frequently used as recipients in experiments involving gene transfer, isolation, and characterization. The present studies were designed to investigate the clonal responses to ionizing radiation of NIH/3T3 cells subjected to DNA-mediated gene transfer. Radiation sensitivity (D0) values were determined for the parental NIH/3T3 cell strain, six clonal cell lines transfected with ...

To identify molecules on the cell surface involved in negative growth regulation, we assumed that their amounts would be reduced after malig nant transformation. We analyzed several proteins by fluorescence-acti vated cell sorter in mouse NIH 3T3 and its transformed cell lines. Surprisingly, the amount of Thy-1, a cell surface glycoprotein anchored in the cell membrane by a glycophosphatidyl in...

Native differences in cell shape and plasma membrane organization in contact-inhibited and transformed cells and the effects of cytochalasin B and colchicine on these cells have been examined by scanning electron microscopy and freeze fracture-electron microscopy. Confluent BALB/c 3T3 cells show a flat, polygonal shape with limited cell overlapping, some microvilli, and plasma membranes with an...

Acetoacetyl-CoA synthetase (AACS) is a ketone body-utilizing enzyme that converts acetoacetate to acetoacetyl-CoA in the cytosol and consequently provides acetyl units as the precursors for lipogenesis. To clarify the role of AACS in adipogenesis, we investigated the expression and localization of the AACS protein and the effect of AACS knockdown on 3T3-L1 differentiation. The protein expressio...