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Biomedical subjects

K D Tew

Publications and source records attributed to K D Tew.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Glutathione S-transferases in normal and malignant human colon tissue.

This study focuses on the GST composition of a tissue intrinsically resistant to chemotherapy, the human colon. GSTs were purified from matched pairs of colon tissue (normal and tumor) using glutathione affinity chromatography. The mean GST activity of colon tumors was 1.5-fold higher than that of normal tissue, with tumors of the sigmoid colon showing the greatest increase (2.3-fold). Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis of purified enzymes demonstrated the presence of all three GST classes (alpha, mu and pi) in colon, with GST pi being both the predominant isozyme in normal and malignant tissues. The level of alpha class subunits was the same in normal and tumor tissues, while the mu class subunits were decreased in tumors. A protein copurifying with GSTs from both normal and tumor tissue did not crossreact with GST antibodies, but instead reacted with a polyclonal antibody to glyoxylase I. This enzyme existed as a dimer in its native state. Upon boiling, monomeric subunits were produced with a molecular mass of 22.6 kDa and an isoelectric point more acidic than GST pi. Increased amounts of glyoxylase I were also found in tumor vs. normal colon. The apparent elevated levels of these glutathione-associated detoxifying enzymes in colon tumors may contribute to their intrinsic drug resistance.

Adult↗

Resistance to the antimitotic drug estramustine is distinct from the multidrug resistant phenotype.

Following EMS mutagenesis, three estramustine (EM) resistant DU 145 human prostatic carcinoma cell lines were clonally selected by exposure to incrementally increasing concentrations of the drug. Although only low levels of resistance (approximately 3-fold) were attainable, this resistance was stable in the absence of continuous drug exposure. These EM-resistant clones (EMR 4,9,12) did not exhibit cross resistance to vinblastine, taxol, or adriamycin, and had collateral sensitivity to cytochalasin B. None of the lines had elevated expression of P-glycoprotein mRNA or glutathione S-transferase activity, suggesting a phenotype distinct from the classic multi-drug resistance phenotype. This conclusion was supported further by the observation that two MDR cell lines (FLC mouse erythroleukaemic and SKOV3 human ovarian carcinoma cells) showed sensitivity to EM. Fluorescent activated cell sorting analysis of the effects of EM on cell cycle traverse revealed that at EM concentrations up to 20 microM an increasing percentage of wild type cells were blocked in G2/M; no such effect occurred in EMR lines. Differential interference contrast microscopy was employed to study EM's effect on mitosis. EMR lines were able to form functional, albeit smaller, spindles at EM concentrations that resulted in chromosomal disorganisation and inhibition of mitotic progression in wild type cells. EMR lines were able to progress through mitosis and cytokinesis at the same rate as untreated cells. Tritiated EM was used to evaluate potential drug uptake/efflux mutations in ERM clones. EMR 4 and 9 incorporate less EM than wild type cells; however, they have significantly decreased cellular volumes. The initial efflux rate constants for EMR clones were greater than for wild type cells. Within 5 min greater than 70% of the drug was lost from resistant cells compared to a 50% loss by the wild type. Although the specific mechanisms of resistance have yet to be defined, the lack of collateral resistance to other MDR/anti-microtubule agents could serve as the basis for the clinical use of EM in combination chemotherapy.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Contribution of patient history to the glutathione S-transferase activity of human lung, breast and colon tissue.

Overexpression of the glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and their involvement in the detoxification of anticancer agents has prompted numerous investigations of the enzyme activity of human tumor tissue. This study represents an in-depth evaluation of the contribution of patient history and pathological status to the GST activity of various human tissues. GST activity was elevated significantly in tumors of the lung, breast and colon as compared to unmatched and matched normal tissue from the same organ. The GST activity of primary breast tumors varied significantly with the stage of the tumor. Breast tumors previously treated with both radiation and chemotherapy had significantly lower levels of GST activity than untreated tumors. Neither progesterone nor estrogen receptor content was associated with the GST activity in primary breast tumors. Colon metastases possessed higher levels of GST activity than primary colon tumors but enzyme activity was independent of the Duke's classification of the tumor. Only tumors of the left colon had levels of GST activity that were higher than those of adjacent normal mucosa. No relationship was evident between either age or sex and the GST activity of any of the tissues examined. GST activity levels may reflect the site-specific ability of tissues to provide cellular protection against xenobiotics.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Immunohistochemical localization of glutathione S-transferases alpha, mu, and pi in normal tissue and carcinomas from human colon.

Analysis of the heterogeneity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozyme expression was carried out by immunohistochemical evaluation of human colon biopsy tissue from 30 patients. Using polyclonal antibodies specific for the GST alpha, mu and pi families of isozymes, an increased expression of pi was found in 21/30 carcinoma specimens compared to their pair-matched controls. This isozyme was the most prevalent in all colon samples. GST mu was expressed at reduced levels in 20/30 carcinoma specimens when compared to normal. GST alpha showed no consistent change. Analysis of the immunostaining in different cell types showed that the highest intensity stain for all isozymes was in the columnar epithelial cells. These cells were primarily responsible for the proportional changes in GST pi and mu between carcinoma and normal tissues. In addition, goblet (crypt), endothelial and muscle cells stained positively. In the lamina propria, lymphocytes and phagocytes stained positively, while fibroblasts, plasma cells and leukocytes were negative. Endocrine cells were also negative. The differential expression of GST pi and mu, confirming biochemical data, supports the potential utility of GST pi as a carcinoma marker.

Colon↗

Evidence for a glycoconjugate form of glutathione S-transferase pI.

The anionic form of glutathione S-transferase from human (GST pi) and rat (GST Yp) sources has been shown to exist in multiple forms which have similar molecular weights but different isoelectric points (pIs). Treatment with endoglycosidase H caused the acidic forms of GST Yp to be converted to proteins with more basic pIs as compared to the untreated control mixtures, suggesting that an N-linked mannose moiety containing acidic residues had been removed. Inability to detect these carbohydrates by techniques requiring unsubstituted vicinal hydroxyls further suggested acidic substitutions on the sugar moiety. GST pi/Yp carbohydrate modifications were also identified by differential staining procedures. These data represent the first indication that glycosylation of GST can occur. Additionally, this may offer an explanation for the often seen microheterogeneity within a class of GST isozymes.

Animals↗

Mechanism based chemotherapy for prostate cancer.

Estramustine offers a mechanistically novel therapy for the treatment of prostatic cancer. The drug is composed of oestradiol coupled to nor-nitrogen mustard. The cytotoxic properties of estramustine act independently of its constituent molecules. In vivo and in vitro studies indicate that the drug binds microtubule associated proteins and inhibits microtubule regulated processes. We have lately shown that micromolar levels of estramustine inhibit selected processes in mitosis, suggesting that certain classes of microtubules and/or MAPs are differentially sensitive to the drug. New clinical trials using estramustine and vinblastine on patients with advanced hormone refractory disease suggest that the combination of two antimicrotubule agents acting by means of different target molecules may be important clinically.

Animals↗

The effects of estramustine on metaphase and anaphase in DU 145 prostatic carcinoma cells.

The chemotherapeutic drug, estramustine, has been shown to cause the disassembly of microtubules via binding to microtubule-associated proteins. In this report, estramustine is shown to be a potent inhibitor of mitotic progression in the human prostatic carcinoma cell line, DU 145. Examination of individual living cells via video-enhanced differential interference contrast (DIC) optics shows that the drug delays the onset of anaphase, reduces anaphase spindle-pole elongation (anaphase B), and delays cytokinesis. In addition, immunofluorescent studies demonstrate that estramustine causes a rapid disorganization of the mitotic apparatus at significantly lower concentrations than those reported previously. Electron microscopic studies show that microtubule bundles are present in drug-treated mitotic cells in association with kinetochores and centrioles.

Anaphase↗

Characterization of glutathione S-transferase expression in lymphocytes from chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease state which frequently responds to alkylating agent chemotherapy but ultimately becomes refractory through acquired resistance mechanisms. In the present study, we have examined the expression of glutathione S-transferases (GST) in both CLL and normal control lymphocytes, as these enzymes have been implicated in mechanisms of natural and acquired resistance. Lymphocyte GST was purified from samples by high-pressure liquid affinity chromatography, and subunits were identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting by using polyclonal antibodies specific for individual subunits. Analysis of CLL lymphocyte GST activity using the general substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene showed a statistically significant 2-fold increase in cells from chlorambucil-resistant patients over those from untreated patients and normal individuals. Furthermore, chlorambucil therapy was seen to cause a 1.3- to 1.5-fold elevation of enzyme activity in three previously drug-naive patients. Analysis of GST isozyme subunits indicated that 95% of the CLL patients examined were positive for the pi isozyme, and this appeared quantitatively to be the major isozyme present. The alpha and mu isozymes were also expressed in 63 and 53% of the patients, respectively. Examination of control lymphocytes, as well as separated B- and T-cell subpopulations, yielded similar results. The present study indicates that a high degree of interindividual variation occurs and that the pattern of CLL lymphocyte GST expression differs from that of other tumor tissues. While there were no obvious correlations between the disease state or stage and isozymes expressed, the quantitative increase in GST activity in chlorambucil-resistant CLL patients may be of relevance to the overall resistant phenotype.

Aged↗

Glutathione-S-transferase pi as a determinant of drug resistance in transfectant cell lines.

A series of glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi) transfectant cell lines have been constructed in activated c-H-ras-transformed NIH-3T3 cells (pT22-3) by using a pKOneo plasmid and an expression vector containing cDNA for GST-pi with a beta-actin gene promoter. From the wild type pT22-3 cells, two clones were selected and designated RGN1 and RGN2. The degree of overexpression of GST-pi was estimated by Northern and Southern blot analysis to be incrementally higher in RGN2 compared with RGN1. Translation of mRNA was estimated by Western blot analysis using isozyme-specific polyclonal antibodies and confirmed the relative GST-pi levels. Each cell line, including the wild type, expressed alpha and mu class isozymes to the same degree and had similar but negligible expression of the mdr 1 gene. Sensitivity to various anticancer drugs and radiation was estimated by a series of cytotoxicity assays. The data confirmed that GST-pi provided a degree of protection against the toxicity of ethacrynic acid and adriamycin, but sensitivity to alkylating agents such as chlorambucil, melphalan, and cis-platinum was not influenced by GST-pi. Similarly, the response to ionizing radiation was similar for each line. Since the levels of intracellular GSH were also not significantly different, the availability of co-substrate was not a factor in determining response. In creating the GST-pi transfectants, these data establish that while increased isozyme levels can play a role in determining sensitivity to some agents, the protective effect is selective.

Actins↗

Determinants of drug response in a cisplatin-resistant human lung cancer cell line.

To elucidate the mechanism(s) of cisplatin resistance, we have characterized a human non-small cell lung cancer cell line (PC-9/CDDP) selected from the wild type (PC-9) for acquired resistance to cisplatin. PC-9/CDDP demonstrated 28-fold resistance to cisplatin, with cross resistance to other chemotherapeutic drugs including chlorambucil (X 6.3), melphalan (X 3.7) and 3-[(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)]methyl-1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitros our ea (ACNU) (x 3.9). There was no expression of mdr-1 mRNA in either wild-type or resistant cells. The mRNA and protein levels of glutathione S-transferase (GST) pi were similar in the two lines. A GST-mu isozyme was present in equal amounts and the activities of selenium-dependent and independent glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were unchanged. The mRNA level of human metallothionein IIA and the total intracellular metallothionein levels were reduced in the resistant cells. Significantly increased intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels were found in the resistant cells (20.0 vs 63.5 nmol/mg protein) and manipulation of these levels with buthionine sulfoximine produced a partial sensitization to either cisplatin or chlorambucil. Increased GSH probably also played a role in determining cadmium chloride resistance of the PC-9/CDDP, even though this cell line had a reduced metallothionein level. Also contributing to the cisplatin resistance phenotype was a reduced intracellular level of platinum in the PC-9/CDDP. Thus, at least two distinct mechanisms have been selected in the resistant cells which confer the phenotype and allow degrees of cross resistance to other electrophilic drugs.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The spontaneous and glutathione S-transferase-mediated reaction of chlorambucil with glutathione.

Incubation of 100 microM chlorambucil (CMB) with 1 mM glutathione (GSH) in 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer yielded a mixture of GSH conjugates and hydrolytic products that were separable by HPLC. The appearance in HPLC analysis of four of these products was GSH-dependent. 35S-Label from 35S-GSH eluted with all four chemical species that also gave UV spectra characteristic of CMB-containing compounds. Mass spectral analysis of three of these compounds gave molecular weights consistent with the following adducts: adduct 2: diglutathionyl CMB; adduct 3: monohydroxy monochloroglutathionyl CMB; adduct 4: monochloro monoglutathionyl CMB. Purified GST alpha and partially pure GST pi and mu class protein prepared from adult male mouse liver cytosol significantly increased the formation of the monoglutathionyl CMB adduct. At 5 min incubations, this adduct was quantitatively most important and was increased 4.4-fold by the addition of GST alpha isozymes. At 1 hr incubations, all four adducts were measurable, although enzymes primarily affected the formation of adduct 4. At 1 hr, addition of GST alpha, pi, or mu protein increased the production of monochloro monoglutathionyl CMB 2-fold, 1.5-fold, and 1.7-fold, respectively, demonstrating that CMB is indeed a substrate for GST isozymes in vitro.

Animals↗

Identification of a glutathione S-transferase associated with microsomes of tumor cells resistant to nitrogen mustards.

Walker 256 rat mammary carcinoma cells resistant to chlorambucil (WR) exhibited an approximate 4-fold increase in glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as compared to the sensitive parent cell line (WS). WR cells maintained without biannual exposure to chlorambucil (WRr) reverted to the sensitive phenotype and possessed GST levels equivalent to WS. Mitochondria, microsomes and cytosol were isolated from WS, WR and WRr cell lines and analyzed for their GST composition. GST activity in each subcellular compartment of resistant cells was increased over the sensitive cells. Antibodies raised against total rat liver cytosolic GST crossreacted in resistant cells with two microsomal proteins (25.7 kD and 29 kD). The 29 kD protein was not detected in microsomal fractions from either WS or WRr and this protein was found to be dissimilar from cytosolic GST subunits in its isoelectric point (pI 6.7) and migration on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels. In addition, the 29 kD microsome-associated GST from WR cells was immunologically distinct from a 14 kD GST subunit previously identified in rat liver microsomes. These data implicate the induction of a specific microsomal GST subunit in WR cells following drug selection and suggest its potential involvement in the establishment of cellular resistance to chlorambucil.

Animals↗

Glutathione, glutathione S-transferases, and related redox enzymes in Adriamycin-resistant cell lines with a multidrug resistant phenotype.

Friend erythroleukemia cells (FLC) selected by exposure to Adriamycin (doxorubicin) express an approximate 2.5-fold (ARN1) or 13-fold (ARN2) resistance to the drug with various degrees of cross-resistance to other anthracyclines, vinca alkaloids, and epipodophyllotoxins. Because the redox cycling of the quinone moiety of Adriamycin is known to produce oxidative stress, however, an analysis of glutathione (GSH) and related enzyme systems was undertaken in the wild-type and selected resistant cells. In ARN1 and ARN2, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities were slightly decreased, intracellular GSH and GSH reductase were essentially unchanged, and total GSH peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase (GST), and DT-diaphorase activities were slightly elevated. In each case there was no stoichiometric relationship between degree of resistance and level of activity. GST isozymes were purified from each cell line by HPLC GSH affinity column chromatography. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and western blot immunoreactivity against a battery of GST isozyme polyclonal antibodies determined that both the resistant and sensitive cells expressed isozymes of the alpha, pi, and mu classes (alternative murine nomenclature: M1, M2, M3). Of significance, both ARN1 and ARN2 cell lines expressed a unique alpha subunit which was absent from the parent FLC cell line. This isozyme presumably accounted for the increased GSH peroxidase activity (cumene hydroperoxide as substrate) found in ARN1 and ARN2 and may play a role in the small incremental resistance to melphalan found for both resistant lines. Expression of the isozyme was not stoichiometric with respect to degree of resistance. The presence of this isozyme may contribute to the resistant phenotype or may be the consequence of a more general cellular response to oxidative stress.

Animals↗

Purification of glutathione S-transferases from rat liver and Walker 256 mammary carcinoma cells by high-performance liquid chromatography and a glutathione affinity column.

A novel method for the rapid purification of glutathione S-transferases (GST) from tissue and cell culture samples is reported. A high-performance glutathione affinity column was used and produced results comparable to those obtained with classical agarose affinity columns. Experiments with purified rat liver GST standards resulted in 87% recovery of total activity. Sodium dodecyl sulfate poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of the affinity-purified GST was identical to the GST standard and revealed three major protein bands, corresponding to the Ya, Yb, and Yc subunits. A fourth protein band (relative molecular mass 25,000), migrating slightly faster than the Ya subunit, was present in both the standard and eluted GST samples. This polypeptide was tentatively identified as the Yk subunit. Successful purification from rat liver and Walker 256 rat carcinoma cell cytosols was also performed. Recovery of total GST enzymatic activity from Walker cell and rat liver cytosol was 49 and 58%, respectively. SDS-PAGE of these samples indicated a high degree of purity. This methodology requires less than 1 h and can be performed using small quantities of tissue. These features make this technique applicable to analysis of a broad range of biological applications including human biopsy material for GST content.

Animals↗