Synergistic and coordinate expression of the genes encoding ribonucleotide reductase subunits in Swiss 3T3 cells: effect of multiple signal-transduction pathways.

Ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase (ribonucleotide reductase, EC 1.17.4.1) is the enzyme responsible for the in vivo production of deoxyribonucleotides for DNA synthesis and is essential for cell proliferation. We examined the signal transduction pathways leading to expression of the M1 and M2 subunits of this enzyme in Swiss 3T3 mouse fibroblasts by Northern blot analysis. Stimulation of quiescent cells resulted in coordinate expression of both subunits, beginning at 8 hr after serum addition, in late G1 phase, and peaking at 18-24 hr. Serum increased M2 message to 30 to 50 times that of quiescent cells, in contrast with M1 message, which was increased 10 times. Agents that elevated cAMP, including forskolin, and the cAMP analogue 8-bromo-cAMP modestly stimulated gene expression. Each of these agents was synergistic with insulin, and these combinations induced expression equivalent to that induced by serum stimulation. Likewise, agents that activate protein kinase C such as phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, bombesin, and vasopressin were also synergistic with insulin with respect to ribonucleotide reductase gene expression, as was epidermal growth factor, which stimulates receptor tyrosine kinase activity. The time course for induction of mRNA expression by each of these agents alone or in combination was identical to that for induction stimulated by serum. Finally, the synergistic effects apparent in Northern analysis of ribonucleotide reductase gene expression were mirrored in parallel determinations of DNA synthesis. Thus, the combinatorial nature of signal transduction pathways resulting in proliferation of Swiss 3T3 cells is expressed at the level of ribonucleotide reductase gene expression.