Synthesis and biological activity of bis(pivaloyloxymethyl) ester of 2'-azido-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate

Bis(pivaloyloxymethyl) ester of 2'-azido-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate was prepared as a prodrug to generate 2'-azido-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-diphosphate inside the cell. A synthetic route utilizing stannyl phosphate was adopted in the preparation. The prodrug was evaluated for cell growth inhibition against a variety of tumor cell lines along with 2'-azido-2'-deoxyuridine and 2'-azido-2'-deoxycytidine.     

Role of human liver P450s and cytochrome b5 in the reductive metabolism of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) to 3'-amino-3'-deoxythymidine

Our laboratory has shown that human liver microsomes metabolize the anti-HIV drug 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) via a P450-type reductive reaction to a toxic metabolite 3'-amino-3'-deoxythymidine (AMT). In the present study, we examined the role of specific human P450s and other microsomal enzymes in AZT reduction. Under anaerobic conditions in the presence of NADPH, human liver microsomes converted AZT to AMT with kinetics indicative of two enzymatic components, one with a low Km (58-74 microM) and Vmax (107-142 pmol AMT formed/min/mg protein) and the other with a high Km (4.33-5.88 mM) and Vmax (1804-2607 pmol AMT formed/min/mg). Involvement of a specific P450 enzyme in AZT reduction was not detected by using human P450 substrates and inhibitors. Antibodies to human CYP2E1, CYP3A4, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2A6 were also without effect on this reaction. NADH was as effective as NADPH in promoting microsomal AZT reduction, raising the possibility of cytochrome b5 (b5) involvement. Indeed, AZT reduction among six human liver samples correlated strongly with microsomal b5 content (r2 = 0.96) as well as with aggregate P450 content (r2 = 0.97). Upon reconstitution, human liver b5 plus NADH:b5 reductase and CYP2C9 plus NADPH:P450 reductase were both effective catalysts of AZT reduction, which was also supported when CYP2A6 or CYP2E1 was substituted for CYP2C9. Kinetic analysis revealed an AZT Km of 54 microM and Vmax of 301 pmol/min for b5 plus NADH:b5 reductase and an AZT Km of 103 microM and Vmax of 397 pmol/min for CYP2C9 plus NADPH:P450 reductase. Our results indicate that AZT reduction to AMT by human liver microsomes involves both b5 and P450 enzymes plus their corresponding reductases. The capacity of these proteins and b5 to reduce AZT may be a function of their heme prothestic groups.     

Internal cleavage of the inhibitory 7B2 carboxyl-terminal peptide by PC2: a potential mechanism for its inactivation

The neuroendocrine protein 7B2 contains two domains, a 21-kDa protein required for prohormone convertase 2 (PC2) maturation and a carboxyl-terminal (CT) peptide that inhibits PC2 at nanomolar concentrations. To determine how the inhibition of PC2 is terminated, we studied the metabolic fate of the 7B2 CT peptide in RinPE-7B2, AtT-20/PC2-7B2, and alphaTC1-6 cells. Extracts obtained from cells labeled for 6 h with [3H]valine were subjected to immunoprecipitation using an antibody raised against the extreme carboxyl terminus of r7B2, and immunoprecipitated peptides were separated by gel filtration. All three cell lines yielded two distinct peaks at about 3.5 kDa and 1.5 kDa, corresponding to the CT peptide and a smaller fragment consistent with cleavage at an interior Lys-Lys site. These results were corroborated using a newly developed RIA against the carboxyl terminus of the CT peptide which showed that the intact CT peptide represented only about half of the stored CT peptide immunoreactivity, with the remainder present as the 1.5-kDa peptide. Both peptides could be released upon phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate stimulation. We investigated the possibility that PC2 itself could be responsible for this cleavage by performing in vitro experiments. When 125I-labeled CT peptide was incubated with purified recombinant PC2, a smaller peptide was generated. Analysis of CT peptide derivatives for their inhibitory potency revealed that CT peptide 1-18 (containing Lys-Lys at the carboxyl terminus) represented a potent inhibitor, but that peptide 1-16 was inactive. Inclusion of carboxypeptidase E (CPE) in the reaction greatly diminished the inhibitory potency of the CT peptide against PC2, in line with the notion that the CT peptide cleavage product is not inhibitory after the removal of terminal lysines by CPE. In summary, our data support the idea that PC2 cleaves the 7B2 CT peptide at its internal Lys-Lys site within secretory granules; deactivation of the cleavage product is then accomplished by CPE, thus providing an efficient mechanism for intracellular inactivation of the CT peptide.     

Constitutive non-inducible expression of the Arabidopsis thaliana Nia 2 gene in two nitrate reductase mutants of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia

We have isolated a haploid cell line of N. plumbaginifolia, hNP 588, that is constitutive and not inducible for nitrate reductase. Nitrate reductase mutants were isolated from hNP 588 protoplasts upon UV irradiation. Two of these nitrate reductase-deficient cell lines, nia 3 and nia 25, neither of which contained any detectable nitrate reductase activity, were selected for complementation studies. A cloned Arabidopsis thaliana nitrate reductase gene Nia 2 was introduced into each of the two mutants resulting in 56 independent kanamycin-resistant cell lines. Thirty of the 56 kanamycin-resistant cell lines were able to grow on nitrate as the sole nitrogen source. Eight of these were further analyzed for nitrate reductase enzyme activity and nitrate reductase mRNA production. All eight lines had detectable nitrate reductase activity ranging from 7% to 150% of wild-type hNP 588 callus. The enzyme activity levels were not influenced by the nitrogen source in the medium. The eight lines examined expressed a constitutive, non-inducible 3.2 kb mRNA species that was not present in untransformed controls.     

Conformationally restricted analogues of 1N,12N-bisethylspermine: synthesis and growth inhibitory effects on human tumor cell lines

Eight analogues of 1N,12N-bisethylspermine (BES) with restricted conformations were synthesized in the search for new spermine mimetics with cytotoxic activities. By replacing the central butane segment of BES with a 1,2-disubstituted cyclopropane ring, a pair of cis/trans-isomers was obtained that introduced a spatial constraint in the otherwise freely mobile butane chain. An analogous pair of isomers was obtained when the butane segment was replaced with a 1, 2-disubstituted cyclobutane ring or with a 2-butene residue. The six new BES analogues thus obtained (three pairs of cis/trans-isomers) were growth inhibitory at low-micromolar concentrations against four human tumor cell lines (A549, HT-29, U251MG, and DU145) but were less growth inhibitory against two other human tumor cell lines (PC-3 and MCF7). 1N,12N-Bisethylspermyne, where the central butane segment of BES was replaced by the rigid 2-butyne segment, was devoid of growth inhibitory activity against five of the six human cell lines studied (DU145 being the only exception), a clear indication of the importance of conformational mobility at the 4N, 9N-butane segment of BES for its biological activity. When the butane segment was replaced by a benzene-1,2-dimethyl residue, the resulting BES analogue was devoid of growth inhibitory activity despite its cisoid conformation. The cytotoxicity of the analogues does not seem to be directly related to their uptake by the cells or to their effects on cellular polyamine levels. BES analogues with restricted conformations but which contained the equivalent of a two-carbon unit, rather than the natural four-carbon unit, at the central segment, such as 1,2-diaminocyclopropyl or 1, 2-diaminocyclobutyl derivatives, were devoid of growth inhibitory effects at the concentrations studied. The development of conformationally restricted polyamine analogues appears to show promise in the further quest for polyamine-related therapeutic agents with specificity of action.     

Anti-tumor-promoting activity of majonoside-R2 from Vietnamese ginseng, Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. (I)

Seven saponins (1-7) isolated from the rhizomes and roots of Panax vietnamensis were tested for their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) induced by the tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), in Raji cells as a primary screening test for anti-tumor-promoters (cancer chemopreventive agents). The ocotillol-type saponin, majonoside-R2 (2), which is the major and characteristic constituent of this plant, exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on EBV-EA activation. Furthermore, the cell cycle analysis of 2 on Raji cells was also examined and strong inhibition was observed on the effect of the cell cycle induced by TPA. Compound 2 showed potent anti-tumor-promoting activity in two-stage carcinogenesis tests of mouse skin using 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) as an initiator and TPA or fumonisin B1 as a promoter. Consequently, these results suggest that majonoside-R2 (2) could be a valuable chemopreventive agent against chemical carcinogenesis.     

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of (+/-)-3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxy-5'-O-(2-bromomyristoyl)thymidine, a prodrug of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT) in mice

The in-vivo biodistribution and pharmacokinetics in mice of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (1, AZT), 2-bromomyristic acid (2) and their common prodrug, (+/-)-3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxy-5'-O-(2-bromomyristoyl)thymidine (3) are reported. The objectives of the work were to enhance the anti-human immunodeficiency virus and anti-fungal effects of 1 and 2 by improving their delivery to the brain and liver. The pharmacokinetics of AZT (beta t1/2 (elimination, or beta-phase, half-life) = 112.5 min; AUC (area under the plot of concentration against time) = 29.1 +/- 2.9 micromol g(-1) min; CL (blood clearance) = 10.5 +/- 1.1 mL min(-1) kg(-1)) and its ester prodrug (3, beta t1/2 = 428.5 min; AUC = 17.3 +/- 4.7 micromol g(-1) min; CL = 17.6 +/- 4.8 mL min(-1) kg(-1) were compared after intravenous injection of equimolar doses (0.3 mmol kg(-1)) via the tail vein of Balb/c mice (25-30 g). The prodrug was rapidly converted to AZT in-vivo, but plasma levels of AZT (peak concentration 0.17 micromol g(-1)) and AUC (12.3 micromol min g(-1)) were lower than observed after AZT administration (peak concentration 0.36 micromol g(-1); AUC 29.1 micromol min g(-1). The prodrug also accumulated rapidly in the liver immediately after injection, resulting in higher concentrations of AZT than observed after administration of AZT itself (respective peak concentrations 1.11 and 0.81 micromol g(-1); respective AUCs 42.5 and 12.7 micromol min g(-1)). Compared with doses of AZT itself, 3 also led to significantly higher brain concentration of AZT (25.7 compared with 9.8 nmol g(-1)) and AUCs (2.8 compared with 1.4 micromol min g(-1)). At the doses used in this study the antifungal agent 2-bromomyristic acid was measurable in plasma and brain within only 2 min of injection. Hepatic concentrations of 2-bromomyristic acid were higher for at least 2 h after dosing with 3 than after dosing with the acid itself. In summary, comparative biodistribution studies of AZT and its prodrug showed that the prodrug led to higher concentrations of AZT in the brain and liver. Although the prodrug did not result in measurably different concentrations of 2-bromomyristic acid in the blood and brain, it did lead to levels in the liver which were higher than those achieved by dosing with the acid itself.     

Characterization of UT2 cells. The induction of peroxisomal 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme a reductase

In the liver 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase is present not only in the endoplasmic reticulum but also in the peroxisomes. However, to date no information is available regarding the function of the peroxisomal HMG-CoA reductase in cholesterol/isoprenoid metabolism, and the structure of the peroxisomal HMG-CoA reductase has yet to be determined. We have identified a mammalian cell line that expresses only one HMG-CoA reductase protein and that is localized exclusively to peroxisomes. This cell line was obtained by growing UT2 cells (which lack the endoplasmic reticulum HMG-CoA reductase) in the absence of mevalonate. The cells exhibited a marked increase in a 90-kDa HMG-CoA reductase that was localized exclusively to peroxisomes. The wild type Chinese hamster ovary cells contain two HMG-CoA reductase proteins, the well characterized 97-kDa protein, localized in the endoplasmic reticulum, and a 90-kDa protein localized in peroxisomes. The UT2 cells grown in the absence of mevalonate containing the up-regulated peroxisomal HMG-CoA reductase are designated UT2*. A detailed characterization and analysis of this cell line is presented in this study.     

Depsides and depsidones as inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase: discovery of novel inhibitors through 3D database searching

Seventeen lichen acids comprising despides, depsidones, and their synthetic derivatives have been examined for their inhibitory activity against HIV-1 integrase, and two pharmacophores associated with inhibition of this enzyme have been identified. A search of the NCI 3D database of approximately 200,000 structures yielded some 800 compounds which contain one or the other pharmacophore. Forty-two of these compounds were assayed for HIV-1 integrase inhibition, and of these, 27 had inhibitory IC50 values of less than 100 microM; 15 were below 50 microM. Several of these compounds were also examined for their activity against HIV-2 integrase and mammalian topoisomerase I.     

Synthesis and biological activity of bile acid-derived HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. The role of 21-methyl in recognition of HMG-CoA reductase and the ileal bile acid transport system

To increase hepatoselectivity of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors by using the specific bile acid transport systems, deoxycholic acid-derived inhibitors 9 and 11 have been synthesized, on the basis of the concept of combining in one molecule structural requirements for specific inhibition of the HMG-CoA reductase and specific recognition by the ileal bile acid transport system. The 1-methyl-3-carboxylpropyl subunit of deoxycholic acid was replaced by the 3,5-dihydroxyheptanoic acid lactone of lovastatin, and position 12-OH was esterified with 2-methylbutyric acid. Compounds 9 and 11 were evaluated for their inhibitory activity on rat liver HMG-CoA reductase, cholesterol biosynthesis in HEP G2 cells, and [3H]taurocholate uptake in rabbit brush border membrane vesicles and compared with methyl derivatives 8 and 10. The steroidal 21-CH3 group affects both activity on HMG-CoA reductase and recognition by the ileal bile acid transport system.     

Inhibitory activities of gatifloxacin (AM-1155), a newly developed fluoroquinolone, against bacterial and mammalian type II topoisomerases

We determined the inhibitory activities of gatifloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus topoisomerase IV, Escherichia coli DNA gyrase, and HeLa cell topoisomerase II and compared them with those of several quinolones. The inhibitory activities of quinolones against these type II topoisomerases significantly correlated with their antibacterial activities or cytotoxicities (correlation coefficient [r] = 0.926 for S. aureus, r = 0.972 for E. coli, and r = 0.648 for HeLa cells). Gatifloxacin possessed potent inhibitory activities against bacterial type II topoisomerases (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 13.8 microg/ml for S. aureus topoisomerase IV; IC50 = 0.109 microg/ml for E. coli DNA gyrase) but the lowest activity against HeLa cell topoisomerase II (IC50 = 265 microg/ml) among the quinolones tested. There was also a significant correlation between the inhibitory activities of quinolones against S. aureus topoisomerase IV and those against E. coli DNA gyrase (r = 0.969). However, the inhibitory activity against HeLa cell topoisomerase II did not correlate with that against either bacterial enzyme. The IC50 of gatifloxacin for HeLa cell topoisomerase II was 19 and was more than 2,400 times higher than that for S. aureus topoisomerase IV and that for E. coli DNA gyrase. These ratios were higher than those for other quinolones, indicating that gatifloxacin possesses a higher selectivity for bacterial type II topoisomerases.     

CD94/NKG2 is the predominant inhibitory receptor involved in recognition of HLA-G by decidual and peripheral blood NK cells

Prior studies demonstrated that NK cells isolated from adult peripheral blood kill the HLA-A-, HLA-B-, and HLA-C-deficient B lymphoblastoid cell line 721.221, but many are unable to kill 721.221 cells transfected with HLA-G, a molecule expressed preferentially on fetal cytotrophoblasts. To determine the biologic relevance of this recognition, we established NK cell clones from the placenta and demonstrate that these NK cells also were unable to kill 721.221 cells expressing HLA-G. Recognition of HLA-G by NK cells was prevented in the presence of anti-CD94 mAb, implicating CD94/NKG2 as the predominant inhibitory NK cell receptor for HLA-G used by decidual NK cells. In contrast, mAbs against the killer cell inhibitory receptors recognizing HLA-Cw3-related, HLA-Cw4-related, or HLA-Bw4 ligands did not affect NK cell killing of the HLA-G transfectants.     

Novel, highly potent aldose reductase inhibitors: (R)-(-)-2-(4-bromo-2-fluorobenzyl)-1,2,3,4- tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine -4-spiro-3'-pyrrolidine-1,2',3,5'-tetrone (AS-3201) and its congeners

A series of novel tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) on the basis of their abilities to inhibit porcine lens aldose reductase (AR) in vitro and to inhibit sorbitol accumulation in the sciatic nerve of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats in vivo. Of these compounds, spirosuccinimide-fused tetrahydropyrrolo[1, 2-a]pyrazine-1,3-dione derivatives showed significantly potent AR inhibitory activity. In the in vivo activity of these derivatives, 2-(4-bromo-2-fluorobenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1, 2-a]pyrazine-4-spiro-3'-pyrrolidine-1,2',3,5'-tetrone (23t) (SX-3030) showed the best oral activity. The enantiomers of 23t were synthesized, and the biological activities were evaluated. It was found that AR inhibitory activity resides in the (-)-enantiomer 43 (AS-3201), which was 10 times more potent in inhibition of the AR (IC50 = 1.5 x 10(-8) M) and 500 times more potent in the in vivo activity (ED50 = 0.18 mg/kg/day for 5 days) than the corresponding (+)-enantiomer 44 (SX-3202). From these results, AS-3201 was selected as the candidate for clinical development. The absolute configuration of AS-3201 was also established to be (R)-form by single-crystal X-ray analysis. In this article we report the preparation and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of tetrahydropyrrolopyrazine derivatives including a novel ARI, AS-3201.     

Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL can differentially block chemotherapy-induced cell death

Bcl-2 and its homologue Bcl-XL are expressed in a variety of tumors and their expression modulates the sensitivity of tumor cells to a wide spectrum of chemotherapeutic agents and gamma-irradiation. In the present report, we generated clones of FL5.12 lymphoid cells with similar levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL using the Flag epitope to determine if these survival proteins could provide equivalent protection when challenged with chemotherapy or gamma-irradiation. Using four M-phase specific chemotherapeutic agents, Bcl-XL and Bcl-2 provided similar protection against vincristine and vinblastine whereas Bcl-XL afforded as much as 50% greater cell viability than Bcl-2 against etoposide and teniposide-induced cell death. In addition, Bcl-XL provided significantly greater cell viability than Bcl-2 against methotrexate, fluorouracil, and hydroxyurea, three S-phase specific agents. In apoptosis induced by gamma-irradiation and cisplatin, two antitumor treatments that are cell-cycle phase-nonspecific agents, both Bcl-XL and Bcl-2 conferred similar protection against gamma-irradiation, but Bcl-XL provided better protection than Bcl-2 against cisplatin. These results indicate that Bcl-XL and Bcl-2 confer a differential ability to protect against chemotherapy-induced cell death, which appears to be dependent on the molecular mechanism targeted by the drug rather than its cell-cycle phase specificity.     

Synthesis and biological activities of tricyclic conformationally restricted tetrahydropyrido annulated furo[2,3-d]pyrimidines as inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductases

The synthesis of seven 2,4-diamino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-7-substituted pyrido[4',3':4,5]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidines 1-6 are reported as nonclassical antifolate inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and compound 7 as a classical antifolate inhibitor of tumor cells in culture. The compounds were designed as conformationally restricted analogues of trimetrexate. The synthesis was accomplished from the cyclocondensation of 3-bromo-4-piperidone with 2, 4-diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine to afford regiospecifically 2, 4-diamino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrido[4',3':4,5]furo[2, 3-d]pyrimidine-7-hydrobromide (16). This in turn was alkylated with the appropriate benzyl halide to afford the target compounds 1-6. The classical antifolate 7 utilized 4-(chloromethyl)benzoyl-l-glutamic acid diethyl ester (17) instead of the benzyl halide for alkylation, followed by saponification to afford 7. Compounds 1-6 showed moderate inhibitory potency against DHFR from Pneumocystis carinii, Toxoplasma gondii, Mycobacterium avium, and rat liver. The classical analogue 7 was 88-fold more potent against M. avium DHFR than against rat liver DHFR. The classical analogue was also inhibitory against the growth of tumor cells, CCRF-CEM, and FaDu, in culture.     

Activation of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) in growth-stimulated rat astrocytes. Geranylgeranylated Rho small GTPase(s) are essential for the induction of cyclin E gene expression

The role of the mevalonate cascade in the control of cell cycle progression in astrocytes has been investigated. Serum stimulation of rat astrocytes in primary culture induces the expression of cyclin E followed by the activation of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) during G1/S transition. The expression of p27, cyclin D1, and the activities of Cdk4 and Cdk-activating kinase (CAK), composed of Cdk7 and cyclin H, were not affected. Serum did, however, stimulate the expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase mRNA at mid-G1 phase. Moreover, an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, pravastatin, reduced cyclin E expression and Cdk2 activation and caused G1 arrest in the astrocytes. In contrast, mevalonate and its metabolite, geranylgeranylpyrophosphate (GGPP) but not farnesylpyrophosphate (FPP), reversed the inhibitory effects of pravastatin on cyclin E expression and Cdk2 activation and allowed G1/S transition. Rho small GTPase(s) were geranylgeranylated and translocated to membranes in the presence of GGPP during G1/S transition. The effect of GGPP on cyclin E expression was abolished by botulinum C3 exoenzyme, which specifically inactivates Rho. These data indicate that geranylgeranylated Rho small GTPase(s) are essential for the induction of cyclin E expression, Cdk2 activation, and G1/S transition in rat astrocytes.     

Lovastatin inhibits mesangial cell proliferation via p27Kip1

Mesangial cell proliferation is a key feature of glomerulonephritis. The hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor lovastatin is known to inhibit cell cycle progression. To determine the inhibitory mechanisms of mesangial cell proliferation by lovastatin, the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity, and expression of CDK inhibitor (p27Kip1, p21Cip1, and p16INK4) mRNA and protein were measured. Lovastatin inhibited phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein and mesangial cell proliferation dose dependently. Lovastatin increased the p27Kip1 protein level but produced no changes in the abundance of the p27Kip1 mRNA level both in the presence and absence of mitogens. Treatment with lovastatin revealed the increment of both CDK2- and CDK4-bound-p27Kip1. The experiment using antisense oligonucleotide against p27Kip1 showed significant amelioration of lovastatin-induced cell cycle arrest. Lovastatin reduced both platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated CDK2 and CDK4 kinase activities. In conclusion, lovastatin inhibited mesangial proliferation via translational upregulation or impairment of p27Kip1 protein degradation. Lovastatin serves as a potential therapeutic approach to mesangial proliferative disease.     

Antitumor activity of 2-chloro-9-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl) adenine, a novel deoxyadenosine analog, against human colon tumor xenografts by oral administration

2-Chloro-9-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl) adenine (Cl-F-araA) is a novel deoxyadenosine analog, which inhibits DNA synthesis by inhibiting DNA polymerase alpha and ribonucleotide reductase. Cl-F-araA shows potent antiproliferative activity against several leukemic cell lines including those of human origin and is also effective against murine solid tumors, in particular being curative against colon tumors. PURPOSE: We therefore decided to investigate whether Cl-F-araA is effective against human colon tumors, in particular by oral administration, since it has improved stability compared with other deoxyadenosine analogs. METHODS: Antiproliferative activity in vitro was determined from cell counts. Subcutaneously inoculated xenograft models and a liver micrometastases model were used for assessment of antitumor activity in vivo. RESULTS: Cl-F-araA showed potent antiproliferative activity against four human colon tumor cell lines (HCT116, HT-29, DLD-1, WiDr), with a 50% growth-inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.26 microM with a 72-h exposure. This activity was greater than those of fludarabine desphosphate and cladribine, other deoxyadenosine analogs, which showed IC50 values of 19 microM and 0.35 microM, respectively. Cl-F-araA showed potent antitumor activity against four human colon tumor xenograft models (HT-29, WiDr, Co-3, COLO-320DM) in a 5-day daily administration schedule, which was shown to be the most effective of three administration regimens tested (single, twice-weekly, 5-day daily). In particular, oral administration showed significantly superior activity, with a regressive or cytostatic growth curve, compared with intravenous administration. In addition, Cl-F-araA was effective at only one-sixteenth of the maximum dose tested in a 10-day daily administration schedule. Therapeutic efficiency seemed to increase in proportion to the frequency of administration. Cl-F-araA also decreased liver micrometastases created by intrasplenic injection of human colon tumor cells, leading to complete suppression at the maximum dose tested. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Cl-F-araA might be clinically effective against human colon cancers using a daily oral administration schedule.     

A molecular basis for insulin resistance. Elevated serine/threonine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and IRS-2 inhibits their binding to the juxtamembrane region of the insulin receptor and impairs their ability to undergo insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) or chronic hyperinsulinemia that induce insulin resistance trigger increased Ser/Thr phosphorylation of the insulin receptor (IR) and of its major insulin receptor substrates, IRS-1 and IRS-2. To unravel the molecular basis for this uncoupling in insulin signaling, we undertook to study the interaction of Ser/Thr-phosphorylated IRS-1 and IRS-2 with the insulin receptor. We could demonstrate that, similar to IRS-1, IRS-2 also interacts with the juxtamembrane (JM) domain (amino acids 943-984) but not with the carboxyl-terminal region (amino acids 1245-1331) of IR expressed in bacteria as His6 fusion peptides. Moreover, incubation of rat hepatoma Fao cells with TNFalpha, bacterial sphingomyelinase, or other Ser(P)/Thr(P)-elevating agents reduced insulin-induced Tyr phosphorylation of IRS-1 and IRS-2, markedly elevated their Ser(P)/Thr(P) levels, and significantly reduced their ability to interact with the JM region of IR. Withdrawal of TNFalpha for periods as short as 30 min reversed its inhibitory effects on IR-IRS interactions. Similar inhibitory effects were obtained when Fao cells were subjected to prolonged (20-60 min) pretreatment with insulin. Incubation of the cell extracts with alkaline phosphatase reversed the inhibitory effects of insulin. These findings suggest that insulin resistance is associated with enhanced Ser/Thr phosphorylation of IRS-1 and IRS-2, which impairs their interaction with the JM region of IR. Such impaired interactions abolish the ability of IRS-1 and IRS-2 to undergo insulin-induced Tyr phosphorylation and further propagate the insulin receptor signal. Moreover, the reversibility of the TNFalpha effects and the ability to mimic its action by exogenously added sphingomyelinase argue against the involvement of a proteolytic cascade in mediating the acute inhibitory effects of TNFalpha on insulin action.     

Heterologous expression of carbonyl reductase: demonstration of prostaglandin 9-ketoreductase activity and paraquat resistance

Transfection of murine NIH3T3 fibroblasts with a pSV2-derived eukaryotic expression vector for human cytosolic carbonyl reductase (E.C. 1.1.1.141) resulted in clones with increased carbonyl reductase activity as demonstrated by an elevation in cellular NADPH-dependent alcohol (menadione) reductase activity. Prostaglandin 9-ketoreductase (9KR) activity, previously noted only in purified enzyme preparations, was also elevated. Although the cellular molar capacity of 9KR activity was less than menadione reductase activity (picomoles versus nanomoles per mg of protein), when compared to endogenous activity there was a greater relative increase in 9KR activity as compared to menadione activity (10 fold increase versus 3 fold). Thus, the 9KR properties of carbonyl reductase may have a physiologic role in prostaglandin regulation. Most transgenic clones lost their enhanced carbonyl reductase activity despite continuous selection, but two clones retained enhanced enzyme activity. RNA analysis indicated that these two murine clones expressed human carbonyl reductase mRNA. These two clones overexpressing carbonyl reductase did not display resistance to menadione, in agreement with a previous report. There was, however, a demonstrable increase in resistance to paraquat of a magnitude similar to that previously noted with transgenic cell lines overexpressing manganese superoxide dismutase.