Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Bailly

Publications and source records attributed to C Bailly.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Binding properties and DNA sequence-specific recognition of two bithiazole-linked netropsin hybrid molecules.

We report the DNA binding properties of two hybrid molecules which result from the combination of the DNA sequence-specific minor groove ligand netropsin with the bithiazole moiety of the antitumor drug bleomycin. The drug-DNA interaction has been investigated by means of electric linear dichroism (ELD) spectroscopy and DNase I footprinting. In compound 1 the two moieties are linked by a flexible aliphatic tether while in compound 2 the two aromatic ring systems are directly coupled by a rigid peptide bond. The results are consistent with a model in which the netropsin moiety of compound 1 resides in the minor groove of DNA and where the appended bithiazole moiety is projected away from the DNA groove. This monocationic hybrid compound has a weak affinity for DNA and shows a strict preference for A and T stretches. ELD measurements indicate that in the presence of DNA compound 2 has an orientation typical of a minor groove binder. Similar orientation angles were measured for netropsin and compound 2. This ligand which has a biscationic nature tightly binds to DNA (Ka = 6.3 x 10(5) M-1) and is mainly an AT-specific groove binder. But, depending on the nature of the sequence flanking the AT site first targeted by its netropsin moiety, the bithiazole moiety of 2 can accommodate various types of nucleotide motifs with the exception of homooligomeric sequences. As evidenced by footprinting data, the bithiazole group of bleomycin acts as a DNA recognition element, offering opportunities to recognize GC bp-containing DNA sequences with apparently a preference (although not absolute) for a pyrimidine-G-pyrimidine motif. Thus, the bithiazole unit of bleomycin provides an additional anchor for DNA binding and is also capable of specifically recognizing particular DNA sequences when it is appended to a strongly sequence selective groove binding entity. Finally, a model which schematizes the binding of compound 2 to the sequence 5'-TATGC is proposed. This model readily explains the experimentally observed specificity of this netropsin-bithiazole conjugate.

Base Sequence↗

Selective binding to AT sequences in DNA by an acridine-linked peptide containing the SPKK motif.

The sequence selectivity of binding to DNA by an acridine-linked peptide ligand has been investigated by means of footprinting methodologies. The ligand conjugates an anilino-acridine intercalating chromophore with the potentially minor groove binder octapeptide SPKKSPKK. This basic peptide corresponds to a highly conserved DNA recognition motif found in histone H1 and several other nonhistone proteins. Three complementary techniques using DNase I, hydroxyl radicals and osmium tetroxide as sequencing probes have been employed to evaluate both the sequence specificity of binding and the drug-induced conformational changes in DNA. The results converge to demonstrate the AT-selectivity and support a model in which the peptide moiety lies in the minor groove. DNA-binding sites of the conjugate are restricted to a few alternating AT-sequences proximal to GC-rich regions. Binding to homooligomeric runs of A and T is clearly disfavoured by the hybrid whereas such sequences represent preferred binding sites for the unsubstituted basic peptide. These differences reflect the influence of the anilino-acridine chromophore, which evidently contributes to the DNA recognition process allowing the peptide only to contact defined DNA sequences.

Acridines↗

Sequence specificity of the binding of 9-aminoacridine- and amsacrine-4-carboxamides to DNA studied by DNase I footprinting.

DNase I footprinting has been used to probe the sequence selectivity of binding of a series of intercalating amsacrine-4-carboxamides and a related 9-aminoacridine-4-carboxamide to three DNA restriction fragments. These ligands have good experimental antileukemic activity, and for those members of the series that gave evaluable footprints, our principal finding is that they bind preferentially to GC-rich regions in agreement with the conclusion of equilibrium and kinetic measurements. The highest affinity sites generally occur in clusters of GC base pairs with runs of AT pairs being excluded from binding. It is important to appreciate that the 9-aminoacridine- and amsacrine-4-carboxamides exhibit a very high degree of selectivity for GC sites which, to our knowledge, has not been previously matched by acridine derivatives in footprinting experiments. The principal determinant of specificity appears to be the 4-carboxamide group itself since neither variations in the terminal funtionality of the 4-carboxamide sidechain nor the presence of the 9-anilino substituent modifies sequence preferences. The molecular origins of selectivity may be discerned in terms of potential hydrogen bonding interactions between the 4-carboxamide moiety and carbonyl oxygen and amino groups of GC base pairs in the DNA minor groove at CG dinucleotide sites. The related therapeutic agent amsacrine failed to inhibit cleavage by DNase I, so no conclusion can be drawn concerning its binding selectivity, save to note that amsacrine does not possess the 4-carboxamide group which appears to be the crucial determinant of GC specificity. Whether selectivity for binding to GC-rich sequences is an important element in the antitumor activity of both the 9-aminoacridine- and amsacrine-4-carboxamides remains to be determined.

Aminacrine↗

Biological activity and molecular interaction of a netropsin-acridine hybrid ligand with chromatin and topoisomerase II.

A hybrid molecule, which combines an anilinoacridine chromophore related to the antitumour drug amsacrine (m-AMSA) and a bispyrrole moiety analogous to the antiviral agent netropsin, has been examined for its ability to bind chromatin and to modulate the activity of topoisomerase II. The results show that the presence of histones does not alter the bimodal DNA binding process. Intercalation of the acridine and groove binding of the netropsin part of the drug are both observed with chromatin preparations. Moreover, the hybrid has a clear topoisomerase II-DNA cleavable complex-inducing activity close to that of m-AMSA. The role of the two parts of the hybrid ligand is discussed in relation to ternary complex formation. Two cell lines (L1210 leukemia and MCF7 mammary carcinoma) were compared in their sensitivity to the tested ligand. The drug, which appears to be an efficient growth inhibitor of leukemic cells in vitro, reveals moderate activity against P388 leukemia in vivo. The biological activity of the hybrid may derive from a mechanism that involves DNA binding and topoisomerase II inhibition. This study demonstrates that agents which intercalate and bind to the minor groove of DNA simultaneously represent a new class of drugs interfering with topoisomerase II and provide opportunities for the development of new antitumour agents.

Amsacrine↗

Drug-DNA sequence-dependent interactions analysed by electric linear dichroism.

The interactions between 20 drugs and a variety of synthetic DNA polymers and natural DNAs were studied by electric linear dichroism (ELD). All compounds tested, including several clinically used antitumour agents, are thought to exert their biological activities mainly by virtue of their abilities to bind to DNA. The selected drugs include intercalating agents with fused and unfused aromatic structures and several groove binders. To examine the role of base composition and base sequence in the binding of these drugs to DNA, ELD experiments were carried out with natural DNAs of widely differing base composition as well as with polynucleotides containing defined alternating and non-alternating repeating sequences, poly(dA).poly(dT), poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT),poly(dG).poly(dC) and poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC). Among intercalating agents, actinomycin D was found to be by far the most GC-selective. GC selectivity was also observed with an amsacrine-4-carboxamide derivative and to a lesser extent with methylene blue. In contrast, the binding of amsacrine and 9-aminoacridine was practically unaffected by varying the GC content of the DNAs. Ethidium bromide, proflavine, mitoxantrone, daunomycin and an ellipticine derivative were found to bind best to alternating purine-pyrimidine sequences regardless of their nature. ELD measurements provided evidence for non-specific intercalation of amiloride. A significant AT selectivity was observed with hycanthone and lucanthone. The triphenyl methane dye methyl green was found to exhibit positive and negative dichroism signals at AT and GC sites, respectively, showing that the mode of binding of a drug can change markedly with the DNA base composition. Among minor groove binders, the N-methylpyrrole carboxamide-containing antibiotics netropsin and distamycin bound to DNA with very pronounced AT specificity, as expected. More interestingly the dye Hoechst 33258, berenil and a thiazole-containing lexitropsin elicited negative reduced dichroism in the presence of GC-rich DNA which is totally inconsistent with a groove binding process. We postulate that these three drugs share with the trypanocide 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) the property of intercalating at GC-rich sites and binding to the minor groove of DNA at other sites. Replacement of guanines by inosines (i.e., removal of the protruding exocyclic C-2 amino group of guanine) restored minor groove binding of DAPI, Hoechst 33258 and berenil. Thus there are several cases where the mode of binding to DNA is directly dependent on the base composition of the polymer. Consequently the ELD technique appears uniquely valuable as a means of investigating the possibility of sequence-dependent recognition of DNA by drugs.

Base Sequence↗

Treatment of poor prognosis Burkitt's lymphoma in adults with the Société Française d'Oncologie Pédiatrique LMB Protocol--a study of the Federation Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer (FNLCC).

14 adult patients between 16 and 50 years old with small non-cleaved cell lymphoma (Burkitt's lymphoma) were prospectively treated from 1982 to 1990 with the LMB protocols of the Société Française d'Oncologie Pédiatrique (SFOP). No HIV-positive patients were included. All patients had extensive disease with bad prognosis factors, i.e. 10 patients had Murphy stage III and 4 had stage IV with bone marrow involvement. The LMB protocols were characterised by high-dose fractionated cyclophosphamide, high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX), and cytosine arabinoside. No local or central nervous system irradiation was used. Treatment duration ranged from 5 (LMB 84) to 12 (LMB 81) months. There were no therapy-related deaths. All patients achieved complete remission (CR). 6 patients relapsed between 2 and 30 months following CR. 8 of the 14 patients (57%) are still alive and disease-free after treatment by LMB protocol alone. 2 patients were salvaged with bone marrow transplantation after relapse and a total of 10 out of 14 patients (71%) are disease-free at the time of this report. Our results showed the high curability of advanced Burkitt's lymphoma using a paediatric protocol, even in adult patients. The LMB protocol may be applied to adult patients but requires intensive care during the induction period.

Adolescent↗

Platelet activating factor inhibits Cl and K transport in the medullary thick ascending limb.

Since the kidney medulla was reported to generate platelet activating factor (PAF), we investigated a possible effect of this agent on the reabsorptive function of in vitro microperfused medullary thick ascending limbs from mouse kidney (mTAL). PAF, 10(-7) M in the bath, significantly decreased the net chloride flux (JCl) from 48.8 +/- 7.1 to 27.4 +/- 5.7 pmol/min. This effect was reversible, blocked by the antagonist BN 50730, and not reproduced by the inactive metabolite lyso-PAF. PAF inhibited the transepithelial potential difference with a threshold at 10(-9) M. In the presence of isoproterenol, the PAF-induced decrease of JCl was not significantly different from that observed in basal conditions; moreover, PAF did not modify the adenylate cyclase activity in isolated mTALs, either in basal condition or under stimulation by isoproterenol. The effect of PAF on JCl was not prevented by mepacrine, NDGA associated with proadifen, or adenosine desaminase. When the apical Na-K-2Cl cotransport was blocked by furosemide or bumetanide, a net K secretion occurred (-1.1 +/- 0.2 pmol/min), which was significantly decreased by PAF (-0.06 +/- 0.3 pmol/min). Moreover, it was verified on isolated mTALs that PAF did not modify the Na,K-ATPase activity. It is concluded that PAF inhibits the reabsorptive function of the mTAL, as indicated by the decrease of Cl reabsorption and K secretion. This effect could not be accounted for by adenosine or arachidonic acid metabolite action, and was not mediated by an inhibition of the adenylate cyclase activity.

Absorption↗

Relationship between DNA-binding and biological activity of anilinoacridine derivatives containing the nucleic acid-binding unit SPKK.

The synthesis of two peptidic derivatives, including an anilinoacridine chromophore (related to the antileukemic drug amsacrine) and either the tetrapeptide SPKK (a nucleic acid-binding unit) (1) or the octapeptide SPKKSPKK (2), has been carried out. The interaction of both drugs with DNA has been studied. Binding data are consistent with a model in which the acridine nucleus occupies an intercalation site and the tetrapeptidic or octapeptidic portion is located in the DNA minor groove. Compound 1 fully intercalates into DNA. In contrast, minor groove binding of the octapeptide SPKKSPKK seems to partially modify the intercalative properties of the acridine moiety of 2. In vitro cytostatic and cytotoxic activities against a murine leukemia cell line (L1210), as well as inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation, are reported. Compound 1, which is a better inhibitor of DNA synthesis than 2, is also 2.8-fold more potent in terms of growth inhibition. Both drugs are efficient cytostatic agents, but are weakly cytotoxic. The DNA-binding abilities of the two molecules are well correlated to their biological properties. Thus, DNA can be considered as the primary target for these new ligands.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma. A case report. Review of the literature].

The case of a forty-three year old woman is reported. She was operated on for a pelvic abdominal multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma which was discovered at the time of a systematic gynaecological examination. We specify the anatomo-clinical characteristics of multicystic mesothelioma from the 118 cases described in the literature and related in detail the stages of histopathological diagnosis. We question the differential diagnosis with serious ovarian tumours.

Adult↗

DNA-binding properties of a distamycin-ellipticine hybrid molecule.

We have synthesized a distamycin-ellipticine hybrid compound and investigated its interaction with DNA, using various optical and gel electrophoresis techniques. Binding of the hybrid to DNA is evidenced by spectral shifts, fluorescence quenching, and induced linear dichroism. Absorbance measurements have been used to generate Scatchard plots, which reveal that the interaction cannot be described adequately in terms of a single binding mode, probably because of simultaneous intercalation and minor groove binding of the ligand. Competition with added distamycin has been used to verify involvement of the N-methyl-pyrrole portion of the hybrid molecule in the binding reaction. From electric linear dichroism experiments, it is estimated that the orientation of the DNA-bound ellipticine chromophore in the hybrid differs by about 10 degrees from the orientation of the equivalent chromophore lacking a distamycin tail. Topoisomerase assays establish that binding of the hybrid unwinds the DNA helix by a minimum of 11 degrees, which is consistent with intercalation but notably smaller than the unwinding angle of ellipticine. In footprinting experiments, it is found that the AT- and GC-specificity of distamycin and ellipticine, respectively, appear to be merged in the binding of the hybrid, which produces a pattern of protection distinct from the characteristic patterns for either of the parent compounds. The hybrid is an extremely effective inhibitor of cutting by DNase I.

Chelating Agents↗

DNA-sequence specific recognition by a thiazole analogue of netropsin: a comparative footprinting study.

Four different footprinting techniques have been used to probe the DNA sequence selectivity of Thia-Net, a bis-cationic analogue of the minor groove binder netropsin in which the N-methylpyrrole moieties are replaced by thiazole groups. In Thia-Net the ring nitrogen atoms are directed into the minor groove where they could accept hydrogen bonds from the exocyclic 2-amino group of guanine. Three nucleases (DNAase I, DNAase II, and micrococcal nuclease) were employed to detect binding sites on the 160bp tyr T fragment obtained from plasmid pKM delta-98, and further experiments were performed with 117mer and 253mer fragments cut out of the plasmid pBS. MPE.Fe(II) was used to footprint binding sites on an EcoRI/HindIII fragment from pBR322. Thia-Net binds to sites in the minor groove containing 4 or 5 base pairs which are predominantly composed of alternating A and T residues, but with significant acceptance of intrusive GC base pairs. Unlike the parent antibiotic netropsin, Thia-Net discriminates against homooligomeric runs of A and T. The evident preference of Thia-Net for AT-rich sites, despite its containing thiazole nitrogens capable of accepting GC sites by hydrogen bonding, supports the view that the biscationic nature of the ligand imposes a bias due to the electrostatic potential differences in the receptor which favour the ligand reading alternating AT sequences.

Base Sequence↗

Ni3S2 uptake by lung cells and its interaction with plasma membranes.

The uptake and biological transformation of Ni3S2 was studied on guinea pig alveolar macrophages (GPAM) in primary culture. Two different pathways are observed: (i) phagocytosis of alpha Ni3S2 crystals and subsequent degradation to minute particles, which are recovered bound to the membranes of phagocytic vacuoles and to lysosomal membranes. These degradation products contain sulphur in very reduced quantities, as revealed by energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS). (ii) Extracellular degradation to regular round particles (0.1-0.2 microns) and irregular minute particles (10-30 nm). Round particles may enter the cell by pinocytosis and are characterized by the loss of sulphur. Minute particles are bound preferentially to cell membranes, to cytoplasmic organelles, such as endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and peroxysomes, to liposomes and to the euchromatinic part of nuclei. EDS analyses in these particles revealed the substitution of sulphur by phosphorus. This observation suggests the formation of an Ni-P complex with the phosphate groups of membranous and liposomal phospholipids and of the euchromatinic part of DNA or RNA. Steady-state fluorescence polarization analysis were carried out on GPAM and, for comparative purposes, on human embryonic pulmonary epithelial cells (L132 cell line). In both cell types they revealed a significant increase of membrane fluidity, induced either by desaturation of aliphatic chains or directly by the cleavage of fatty acid chains.

Cell Membrane↗

Expression of P-glycoprotein restricted to normal cells in neuroblastoma biopsies.

Immunohistological detection of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) with monoclonal antibody C219 was performed on serial sections of 37 neuroblastoma specimens representative of the different forms of the disease, from stage 1 ganglioneuroma to stage 4 neuroblastoma. Malignant cells, irrespective of their degree of maturation varying from neuroblasts to ganglion cells, were negative on all specimens. The expression of P-glycoprotein was detected in nine specimens, but it was restricted to normal cells within the tumour. In four specimens, C219 reacted with normal infiltrating cells in the stroma (i.e. monocytes, histiocytes or fibroblasts) representing 5 to 10% of the total population within the section; in three specimens, the residual adrenal gland was strongly positive, and in two ganglioneuromas, a weak reactivity of C219 was observed on a few satellite cells and schwann cells. Three of 15 biopsies obtained at diagnosis contained normal P-gp positive cells: two were classified as stage 1 ganglioneuromas; one was a typical stage 4 composite tumours with positive histiocytes and fibroblasts in the well-differentiated counterpart. Six of 22 biopsies obtained after patients had received our current protocol of chemotherapy contained normal P-gp positive cells: five were partially differentiated and necrotic under the effect of chemotherapy; only one positive specimen was classified as undifferentiated neuroblastoma. Among negative specimens from previously treated patients, one was obtained from a patient in relapse after high-dose chemotherapy and ABMT, two were obtained from patients who had not responded to induction therapy, and six from patients in partial remission after induction therapy. The clinical evolution was very similar in both groups of patients with P-gp negative or positive biopsies. These findings suggest that the quantitative assessment of MDR RNA by northern blotting on fresh homogenates is likely to overestimate its expression on neuroblastoma cells, and that the mechanism of chemoresistance in widespread neuroblastoma is less likely to be associated with P-gp expression.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Sequence-selective binding of an ellipticine derivative to DNA.

The DNA sequence specificity of an ellipticine derivative bearing an aminoalkyl side chain has been determined by a variety of footprinting methods. The drug exhibits sequence selective binding and discriminates against runs of adenines or thymines. Binding is shown to occur at various sequences with a preference for GC rich regions of DNA. A large enhancement of DNAase I and of hydroxyl radical cleavage in regions rich in A's or T's is observed together with hyperreactivity of adenines towards diethylpyrocarbonate in the presence of drug. This indicates the occurrence of drug-induced changes in critical conformational features of DNA. The total absence of hyperreactivity of guanine residues towards diethylpyrocarbonate appears to be related to the sequence selectivity of drug binding. No alteration of the dimethyl sulphate and methylene blue-induced cleavage of DNA is observed. Irradiation of ellipticine derivative-DNA complexes with UV light followed by alkali treatment leads to selective photocleavage at guanine residues, consistent with the deduced degree of selectivity of the binding reaction.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Subcellular distribution of a nitroxide spin-labeled netropsin-acridine hybrid in living KB cells: Electron Spin Resonance Study.

NETGA is an hybrid derivative which possesses an intercalating heterocyclic nucleus related to amsacrine and a minor groove binding squeletton related to netropsin. Cellular uptake of this drug has been studied by Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectroscopy using a spin-label derivative of NETGA (SL-NETGA). ESR determination of the kinetics of the drug repartition between the cytoplasm and nucleus showed that NETGA accumulated very rapidly and predominantly in the nucleus. Analysis of the anisotropic ESR spectra recorded in the nuclear compartment are in agreement with a strong binding of the drug to the DNA besides confirmed by a maximum delta Tm of 12 degrees C between the spin-label compound-DNA complex and the DNA alone.

Acridines↗