Tc. Murphy et al., Expression of the transcription factor GADD153 is an indicator of apoptosis for recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, BIOTECH BIO, 75(6), 2001, pp. 621-629
Loss of cell viability, through engagement of apoptotic cell death, represe
nts a limitation to maintenance of high levels of productivity of recombina
nt animal cells in culture. The ability to monitor the status of recombinan
t cells, and to define indicators of their "well-being," would present a va
luable approach to permit a rational intervention at appropriate times duri
ng culture. Growth arrest and DNA damage gene 153 (GADD153) is a member of
the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) family of transcription factors
and has been associated with apoptosis. We have examined the expression of
GADD153 in conditions associated with apoptosis of recombinant CHO cells in
batch culture. GADD153 expression is very low in CHO cells growing in the
exponential phase of batch culture but is activated as cells enter the decl
ine phase. Depletion of nutrients (glucose or glutamine) causes activation
of GADD153 expression as does the imposition of endoplasmic reticulum stres
s. In all cases, there is a good relationship between the extent of apoptos
is that occurs in response to each stress and the degree of GADD153 express
ion. In addition, nutrient refeeding or reversal of stress produces a conco
mitant decrease in expression of GADD153 and the susceptibility to apoptosi
s. Thus, GADD153 appears to offer a valid indicator of apoptosis and illust
rates the potential for definition of monitors of cellular status related t
o the likelihood of apoptosis of cell populations. (C) 2001 John Wiley & So
ns, Inc.