Differential activation of cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinase genes by adenovirus E1A12S cDNA product.

The differential activation of cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinase genes by the adenovirus E1A gene product (E1A) or serum factors was studied with a rat 3Y1 derivative cell line, g12-21, in which the E1A12S cDNA can be expressed in response to dexamethasone (dex). The induction of DNA synthesis in quiescent g12-21 cells occurred within 12 h after serum stimulation, while it occurred within 8 h after treatment with dex. The expression of cyclin D1 and E genes in the serum-stimulated cells was induced in mid G1 and mid to late G1, respectively, while that of the cyclin D1 gene was not induced and the induction of the cyclin E gene was shifted to the G1/S boundary in the dex-treated cells. The cdk2 gene was induced in late G1 and cdc2 and cyclin A genes at the G1/S boundary in both serum-stimulated and dex-treated cells. These results suggest that E1A skips cell cycle events which normally occur in early to mid G1 and may directly activate late-response genes. Analysis of the transcription factor E2F complexes formed in the promoter regions of cdc2 and dihydrofolate reductase genes showed that the amount of complexes formed is maximal at the G1/S boundary, but decreases in S phase when these genes are transcribed extensively.