A LINK BETWEEN FERRITIN GENE-EXPRESSION AND RIBONUCLEOTIDE REDUCTASE R2 PROTEIN, AS DEMONSTRATED BY RETROVIRAL VECTOR-MEDIATED STABLE EXPRESSION OF R2 CDNA

We have constructed a retroviral expression vector for the mammalian r ibonucleotide reductase R2 component, Stable infectants, which express a myc epitope tagged R2 protein from the vector cDNA were obtained an d described for the first time, Cells containing the recombinant prote in exhibited increased ribonucleotide reductase activity, and were res istant to the antitumour agent hydroxyurea, which targets the R2 compo nent of ribonucleotide reductase. Furthermore, a direct link between f erritin gene expression and R2 protein was observed, since cells conta ining vector expressed recombinant R2 protein exhibited H-chain and L- chain ferritin gene expression.