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PubMed2006

Normal and prostate cancer cells display distinct molecular profiles of alpha-tubulin posttranslational modifications.

BACKGROUND: Multiple diverse posttranslational modifications of alpha-tubulin such as detyrosination, further cleavage of the penultimate glutamate residue (Delta2-tubulin), acetylation, and polyglutamylation increase the structural and functional diversity of microtubules. METHODS: Herein, we characterized the molecular profile of alpha-tubulin posttranslational modifications in normal human prostate epithelial cells (PrEC), immortalized normal prostate epithelial cells (PZ-HPV-7), androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells (LNCaP), transitional androgen-independent prostate cancer cells (LNCaP-cds and CWR22Rv1), and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells (PC3). RESULTS: Compared to PrEC and PZ-HPV-7 cells, all cancer cells exhibited elevated levels of detyrosinated and polyglutamylated alpha-tubulin, that was paralleled by decreased protein levels of tubulin tyrosine ligase (TTL). In contrast, PrEC and PZ-HPV-7 cells expressed markedly higher levels of Delta2-tubulin. Whereas alpha-tubulin acetylation levels were generally equivalent in all the cell lines, PC3 cells did not display detectable levels of Ac-tubulin. CONCLUSION: These data may reveal novel biomarkers of prostate cancer and new therapeutic targets.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1996

Methotrexate: an effective agent for treating cancer and building careers. The polyglutamate era.

This paper chronicles developments in the laboratory of Dr. Bruce Chabner during the period 1978-1981. Initial work demonstrated that methotrexate is taken up by human breast cancer cells by a high affinity, carrier-mediated energy-dependent transport system similar to that described in murine leukemia cells. Conversion of methotrexate to a high molecular weight polyglutamate metabolite was also demonstrated to occur in human breast cancer cells. Polyglutamates became the predominant form of intracellular drug, both free in the cytosol and bound to dihydrofolate reductase, during a 24 h exposure to clinically achievable methotrexate concentrations. Intracellular retention of polyglutamates led to prolonged suppression of thymidine synthesis and loss of cell viability after removal of extracellular drug. This work identified methotrexate polyglutamates as biologically active enzyme inhibitors in human tumor cells and launched a series of investigations on the interaction of these derivatives with folate-requiring enzymes.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Cytochrome P450-like substrate oxidation catalyzed by cytochrome c and immobilized cytochrome c.

Cytochrome c (cyt.c) was shown to catalyze cytochrome P450 (P450)-like oxidative reactions, such as N-, and O-demethylation, S-oxidation, and epoxidation of olefins. A more detailed examination showed that (i) N-methylcarbazole and thioanisole oxidation with H2(18)O2 catalyzed by cyt.c resulted in introduction of 18O into the product, and (ii) during the epoxidation of cis-stilbene catalyzed by cyt.c, the stereochemistry of the substrate was retained and 18O was introduced when H2(18)O2 was used as an oxidant. These results show that cyt.c catalyzed N-demethylation, S-oxidation, and epoxidation in the same manner as P450. To utilize these P450-like reactivities effectively, cyt.c was immobilized on poly-gamma-methyl-L-glutamate. Up to 99% of the cyt.c used was immobilized. This immobilized cyt.c catalyzed N-demethylation, S-oxidation, and epoxidation in the same manner as both P450 and free cyt.c, and the activities of these reactions were increased by the immobilization. In N-demethylation of N,N-dimethylaniline with cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) catalyzed by cyt.c, the Vmax for CHP was increased by 4.4-fold by the immobilization of the enzyme, while the Km remained unchanged. Since P450 is involved in the metabolism of many xenobiotics, the above results suggest that immobilized cyt.c may be useful in drug metabolism research.

Aniline Compounds↗
PubMed1998

Oscillations of membrane potential across a polypeptide membrane, induced by an electrical current.

Oscillation of membrane potential across a tri-block copolypeptide membrane composed of (Glu)x-(Leu)y-(Glu)x (x = 0.18 and y = 0.64) was observed under an electrical current, when the membrane was placed between equimolar aqueous salt solutions. The amplitude of the oscillation was influenced by the type of cation and anion in the external salt solution, and the amplitude was in the sequence: K+ > Na+ > Cs+ > Ca2+ and Cl- > Br-. The frequencies of the oscillations were in the range 0.1 to 5 Hz, and were also slightly influenced by the type of cation and anion.

Anions↗
PubMed1993

Intrinsic resistance of cervical squamous cell carcinoma cell lines to methotrexate (MTX) as a result of decreased accumulation of intracellular MTX polyglutamates.

The causes of intrinsic of intrinsic MTX resistance in four human cervical squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (SiHa, C-33A, ME-180, C-4I) with different sensitivities to methotrexate (MTX) were determined. The in situ or whole-cell assay for thymidylate synthase (TS) was used to screen for known causes of MTX resistance, including increased dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), altered DHFR, impaired MTX uptake, and decreased formation of MTX polyglutamates. While all four cell lines displayed initial sensitivity to MTX as demonstrated by a TS activity of < 20% following a 3-hr incubation with MTX, TS activity recovered in three of the four cell lines following a 4-hr incubation in drug-free media. Determination of MTX-polyglutamate accumulation in the four cell lines following a 24-hr incubation with 10 microM [3H]MTX revealed that a higher total intracellular level of MTX polyglutamates was achieved in the sensitive cell line (SiHa), with 54% occurring as long-chain tri-, tetra-, or pentaglutamates. The three resistant cell lines were found to contain less total MTX polyglutamates, with only 38, 14, and 13% occurring as long-chain MTX polyglutamates. Intrinsic MTX resistance in some cervical squamous cell carcinoma cell lines appears to be associated with a diminished accumulation of long-chain MTX polyglutamates, which are preferentially retained intracellularly.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Protein globularization during folding. A study by synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering.

Various conformational states of polypeptide chains were investigated by synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). SAXS patterns of proteins and model polypeptides in globular states (native and "molten globule") and in non-globular states (unfolded protein as well as randomly coiled, partially alpha-helical and partially beta-structural synthetic polypeptides) were analyzed in terms of Guinier and Kratky plots. Large differences in the SAXS pattern have been found between globular and non-globular conformations of the polypeptide chains, and they have been interpreted in terms of differences in the shape and size of the globular and non-globular scatterers with the same molecular mass. The equilibrium and time-resolved unfolding curves of bovine carbonic anhydrase and yeast phosphoglycerate kinase were monitored by integrated SAXS intensity, and were found to be coincident with the curves measured by other physicochemical techniques, such as tryptophan fluorescence and peptide circular dichroism spectra. The intermolecular association of the protein "molten globule"-like intermediates accumulated during the guanidine hydrochloride-induced unfolding of bovine carbonic anhydrase has been investigated by various SAXS parameters. It has been shown that the integrated SAXS intensity is much less sensitive to the protein intermolecular association than the zero angle intensity and the radius of gyration. We propose the integrated SAXS intensity as a global parameter which is particularly appropriate for fast kinetic studies of protein coil to globule transitions. Time-resolved refolding curves of the above proteins were monitored by the integrated SAXS intensity to investigate the globularization process in protein folding. Two fast kinetic processes for bovine carbonic anhydrase and two fast (each within two seconds) as well as two slow (within 500 seconds) kinetic processes for yeast phosphoglycerate kinase have been recorded. The kinetic processes reflect both protein intramolecular globularization and its intermolecular association.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Folylpolyglutamate synthetase activities of Neurospora crassa: nature of products formed by soluble and particulate enzymes in the wild type and polyglutamate-deficient mutants.

The folylpolyglutamate synthetase activities of Neurospora crassa wild type (FGSC 853) and two polyglutamate-deficient mutants (met-6, 35809, FGSC 1330 and mac, 65108, FGSC 3609) were examined using dialyzed extracts prepared during exponential mycelial growth. Enzyme assay was based on incorporation of [U-3H]glutamate in folylpolyglutamates that were separated by gradient elution from DEAE-cellulose. Extracts of the wild type produced H4PteGlu2 (15%), H4PteGlu3 (35%) and H4PteGlu6 (50%) when anaerobically incubated with glutamate, ATP, and H4PteGlu. Under these conditions, the met-6 produced only H4PteGlu2 and higher polyglutamates (H4PteGlu4 and H4PteGlu5) were not utilized. The mac mutant failed to catalyze addition of glutamate to H4PteGlu. However, H4PteGlu2 was effectively converted to the tri-, and hexaglutamates. Mixing wild type and met-6 protein stimulated the formation of tri-, and hexaglutamates. Mixing mac and met-6 extracts resulted in H4PteGlu3 and H4PteGlu6 labeling when glutamate and H4PteGlu were provided. Fractionation of wild type extracts by addition of (NH4)2SO4 or by differential centrifugation provided evidence for different synthetase activities. Protein of the 0-35% (NH4)2SO4 fraction and that associated with the mitochondrial pellet, catalyzed an H4PteGlu2 leads to H4PteGlu3 reaction. These fractions failed to utilize H4PteGlu or the corresponding tetra-, and pentagluatmates. This triglutamate-forming activity was lacking in mac and met-6. The 45-60% (NH4)2SO4 fraction of the wild type catalyzed formation of di-, tri-, and hexaglutamate from H4PteGlu and glutamate. Hexaglutamate was also formed when the folate substrate wa H4PteGlu2, H2PteGlu4, or H4PteGlu5. These activities were associated with the cytosolic fraction when crude isotonic extracts were centrifuged to remove mitochondria. The characteristic synthetase activities of met-6 and mac were associated with protein of the 45-60% (NH4)2SO4 and cytosolic fractions. It is suggested that folypolyglutamate synthesis in N. crassa involves more than one synthetase-catalyzed reaction. Production of cellular folylhexaglutamate appears to involve two steps, catalyzed by cytosolic enzymes; viz: H4PteGlu leads to H2PteGlu2 followed by H4PteGlu2 leads to H4PteGlu6. These partial reactions are lacking in mac and met-6 respectively. The mitochondrial synthetase of the wild type may not represent a mandatory step in the biosynthesis of folylhexaglutamate but could have significance in generation of compartmented folylpolyglutamates.

Kinetics↗
PubMed1983

In vitro methotrexate polyglutamate synthesis by rat liver folylpolyglutamate synthetase and inhibition by bromosulfophthalein.

We have investigated the properties of the rat liver folylpolyglutamate synthetase using methotrexate (MTX; 4-NH2-10-CH3-PteGlu) as a substrate. Many characteristics of the synthetase (e.g., the apparent Km values for L-glutamate and ATP, and the optimal concentrations of KC1 and 2-mercaptoethanol) are virtually identical whether MTX or tetrahydrofolate is the "folate" substrate. There are, however, several significant differences between the reactions catalyzed with these two substrates. The length of products synthesized from tetrahydrofolate are inversely related to the initial monoglutamate concentration. Low tetrahydrofolate concentrations allow synthesis of longer (n greater than or equal to 3) polyglutamates, up to pentaglutamate length, while high concentrations lead to predominantly diglutamate synthesis. However, 4-NH2-10-CH3-PteGlu2 predominates regardless of the initial MTX concentration, under otherwise identical conditions. Also, tetrahydrofolate can be readily converted to pentaglutamate lengths, the same as predominates in rat liver in vivo. In contrast, MTX forms species containing only up to a total of three glutamates, i.e., 4-NH2-10-CH3-PteGlu3. Finally, the ultimate product of synthesis from tetrahydrofolate, H4PteGlu5, is a fairly good inhibitor of synthetase activity with either MTX or tetrahydrofolate as the substrate. The ultimate product of MTX synthesis, 4-NH2-10-CH3-PteGlu3, however, is a poor inhibitor of activity with either substrate. We have also investigated the inhibitory effect of bromsulfophthalein (BSP) on the rat liver synthetase. Gewirtz et al., showed that this organic anion inhibited the uptake of MTX and 5-CH3-tetrahydrofolate into hepatocytes, and presented indirect evidence that BSP effected polyglutamate biosynthesis. We have demonstrated that BSP is a potent (Ki = 1 microM) inhibitor of the rat liver synthetase. Inhibition is noncompetitive with rspect to L-glutamate, ATP, and MTX. Pre-incubation and time course experiments demonstrated that inhibition is not stoichiometric and is not caused by slow inactivation of the synthetase. Since BSP is transported into mammalian cells, it is the first inhibitor of polyglutamate biosynthesis which has potential for use in in vivo studies.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Characteristics of the accumulation of methotrexate polyglutamate derivatives in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and isolated rat hepatocytes.

The intracellular synthesis and retention of polygammaglutamyl derivatives of methotrexate and their interactions with H2 folate reductase was evaluated in the Ehrlich ascites tumor cell and the isolated rat hepatocyte. Methotrexate polyglutamates were detected within 15 minutes in hepatocytes exposed to 1 microM methotrexate, and continued to accumulate for at least 60 minutes producing a large transmembrane gradient. These derivatives appeared to be preferentially retained within the cell even under conditions where release of intracellular methotrexate was induced by dibutyryl cyclic AMP or isobutyl methyl xanthine. Deoxycholate and bromosulfophthalein, compounds which inhibited methotrexate influx into hepatocytes, reduced the ratio of methotrexate polyglutamates to methotrexate, suggesting that these agents also inhibit the metabolism of methotrexate. In studies with the Ehrlich ascites tumor accumulation of methotrexate polyglutamates was increased over 5-fold by the addition of 5 mM L-glutamine or L-glutamate and exhibited a positive correlation with the extracellular concentration of methotrexate. Vincristine and probenecid, agents that increase the intracellular levels of methotrexate by inhibiting efflux, also produced a marked increase in methotrexate polyglutamates. When Ehrlich ascites tumor cells were exposed to 10 microM methotrexate and 5 mM L-glutamine intracellular polyglutamates were detected within 10 minutes and their levels increased linearly over 4 hours. As these derivatives accumulated, there was a decline in intracellular methotrexate due at least in part to a replacement of methotrexate on H2 folate reductase by polyglutamates and subsequent efflux of the previously bound methotrexate from the cell. When ppolyglutamate derivatives were in excess of the H2 folate reductase binding capacity and extracellular methotrexate removed, methotrexate rapidly exited the cell whereas the majority of its metabolites were retained and eventually saturated the major portion of the enzyme. These studies indicate that (1) intracellular methotrexate is rapidly converted to polygammaglutamyl derivatives, (2) these metabolites effectively compete with methotrexate for binding sites on H2 folate reductase, (3) these derivatives are retained within the cell more effectively than methotrexate, and (4) vincristine and probenecid may be potentially useful for selectively increasing methotrexate polyglutamates in tumor cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Studies of formation and efflux of methotrexate polyglutamates with cultured hepatic cells.

Methotrexate polyglutamates are extensively synthesized when cultured hepatocytes and H35 hepatoma cells are exposed to micromolar concentrations of methotrexate. The predominant species found within the cell have from two to four additional gamma-linked glutamate residues. When either cell type containing a mixture of methotrexate and its polyglutamate derivatives is exposed to medium lacking methotrexate, there is a rapid release of methotrexate. This release has a T1/2 of 2 to 4 min and is apparently complete within 30 to 60 min. Methotrexate polyglutamates leave the cells much more slowly and appear to do so by two mechanisms. Although cleavage to methotrexate and subsequent efflux appears to be quantitatively the more important pathway, there is also a slow, finite loss of intact methotrexate polyglutamates from cells which exclude trypan blue. The T1/2 for the loss of methotrexate polyglutamates by both cell types, when placed in medium lacking methotrexate, is approximately 6 to 8 hr. These results, together with those of an earlier study (Galivan, J. (1980) Mol. Pharmacol. 17:105-110), suggest that the polyglutamate derivatives are forms of methotrexate which are as cytotoxic as methotrexate but which offer a potentially greater capacity for cellular destruction because they are retained longer in the tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Synthesis, binding and intracellular retention of methotrexate polyglutamates by cultured human breast cancer cells.

Synthesis, binding, and intracellular retention of methotrexate polyglutamates by cultured human breast cancer cells were investigated by gel filtration and high-pressure liquid chromatography to separate methotrexate from its metabolites. MCF-7, ZR-75-1, and MDA-231 human breast cancer cells were found to readily convert methotrexate to higher polyglutamates during a 24-hr incubation period, although at differing rates. Examination of that portion of intracellular methotrexate specifically bound to dihydrofolate reductase revealed that, with prolonged incubation, methotrexate polyglutamates become the predominant drug form bound to the enzyme. Similarly, methotrexate polyglutamates accumulated free in the cytosol and when cells were suspended in drug-free medium, were retained intracellularly both bound to dihydrofolate reductase and in the unbound fraction, indicating their slow passage through the cell membrane. Studies of methotrexate polyglutamate binding to purified bacterial dihydrofolate reductase revealed high affinity binding for compounds with up to 6 additional glutamyl residues. These studies demonstrate that methotrexate polyglutamates are readily formed in human breast cancer cells, bind intracellularly to dihydrofolate reductase, and are selectively retained both bound to the enzyme and free in the cell cytosol.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1983

Studies on the in vivo synthesis of methotrexate polyglutamates and their efflux properties in normal, proliferative, and neoplastic mouse tissues.

Synthesis of poly-gamma-glutamyl metabolites of methotrexate was demonstrated in mouse small intestine, liver and bone marrow, and in L1210 leukemia, Sarcoma 180 and Ehrlich tumor cells after sc injections of [3H]methotrexate to tumor bearing mice. Ion exchange chromatography of tissue extracts resolved six peaks of radioactivity believed to represent methotrexate and metabolites with up to 4 additional glutamyl residues. Polyglutamate formation in L1210 cells and small intestine was shown to be independent of dose at least to 400 mg/kg as long as intracellular levels of drug in excess of the dihydrofolate reductase binding capacity (exchangeable) were maintained. Both the total amount of polyglutamates and the average length of the polyglutamyl chain increased with time as long as exchangeable level of drug were present intracellularily. The results also showed differences in the extent of metabolism of methotrexate polyglutamates among the tissues examined. Although, these differences were at times very large, there was no consistent correlation between these differences and other pharmacologic parameters or cytoxicity. Tumor cells appeared to synthesize more polyglutamates than the normal tissues examined. However, differences in total drug persistence and sensitivity to drug among tumor cells and among normal tissues did not reflect the relative extent of polyglutamate synthesis in each group. We observed no selective retention of polyglutamates as compared to methotrexate by L1210 cells in vitro as indicated by the extracellular accumulation during efflux of methotrexate and the polyglutamates. This could only be demonstrated by allowing efflux of intracellular drug in the presence of extracellular dihydrofolate reductase, which averted hydrolysis of the polyglutamates. It is concluded that the extent of polyglutamate synthesis per se may not be a determinant of drug sensitivity in murine tissues. However, the accumulation of these metabolites may contribute in some way to overall therapeutic response or relative cytotoxicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Methotrexate polyglutamates in cultured human cells.

Cultured human fibroblasts accumulated methotrexate polyglutamates to levels far in excess of the dihydrofolate reductase binding capacity. After four days in methotrexate-free medium the intracellular drug level dropped by 70% but nearly 80% of the remaining methotrexate was in the form of polyglutamates. Reduced folates prevented the accumulation of polyglutamates and the effects of methotrexate on deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA and cell growth if present along with methotrexate from the beginning of the incubation. However, the reduced folates were less effective if added to cells after a long exposure to methotrexate alone. Thymidine, glycine, and adenosine (GAT) prevent methotrexate toxicity only if maintained in the incubation medium. However, preincubation with methotrexate and GAT permits continued synthesis and accumulation of polyglutamates so that when the GAT and methotrexate were removed, toxicity from the retained methotrexate polyglutamates could be expressed. (2,4-diamino-5-(3'4'-dichlorophenyl)-6 methyl pyrimidine (DDMP), an antifol that does not form polyglutamate derivatives, inhibited deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA as long as the DDMP remained in the culture medium. Compared to what was seen with longer exposures to methotrexate, removal of DDMP resulted in a greater reversal of the inhibition of deoxyuridine incorporation.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1983

Predictions of a network thermodynamics computer model relating to the mechanism of methotrexate rescue by 5-formyltetrahydrofolate and to the importance of inhibition of thymidylate synthase by methotrexate-polyglutamates.

Computer modeling has been a valuable tool for clarifying the mechanism of action of antifolates. Some consequences of folyl and antifolyl polyglutamate synthesis can be addressed by adaptation of a network thermodynamic computer model of methotrexate action. Reversal or prevention of methotrexate cytotoxicity by 5-formyltetrahydrofolate has widely been assumed to occur through the delivery of reduced folate in substrate amounts for thymidylate synthesis, by-passing the effects of methotrexate at dihydrofolate reductase. This mechanism is inconsistent with experimental data which shows that "rescue" is a competitive phenomenon and that the transport process is incapable of delivering reduced folate at an adequate rate. Computer modeling studies are presented which predict that expansion of the total folate pool as folylpolyglutamates with "rescue" would reduce the inhibitory effect of MTX on thymidylate synthesis. Dihydrofolate polyglutamates could then accumulate to the high level needed to displace methotrexate from the small fraction of sites on dihydrofolate reductase that are sufficient to sustain tetrahydrofolate synthesis. Experimental studies with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells support this prediction. It is likely that a critical step in the protection of normal host tissues in high dose-rescue treatment regimens is the conversion of exogenously supplied 5-formyltetrahydrofolate to polyglutamyl derivatives and accumulation of total intracellular folate to higher than normal levels. Other computer simulations are presented which examine the potential significance of direct inhibition of thymidylate synthase by polyglutamyl forms of methotrexate. The model predicts that in cells with biochemical properties similar to methotrexate sensitive L1210 cells, inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase would still be the predominant site of action unless the thymidylate synthase Ki for a methotrexate polyglutamate is below about 0.1 microM. However, in methotrexate-resistant cells with elevated dihydrofolate reductase but normal membrane transport and polyglutamylation, thymidylate synthase may be the more important target enzyme.

Computers↗