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Synthesis and cytokine modulation properties of pyrrolo[2, 3-d]-4-pyrimidone nucleosides.

A series of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidone nucleosides were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to enhance Type 2 cytokines and to suppress Type 1 cytokines in human T cells activated in vitro. Compounds 16b, 16c, 16d, 18c, and 19b induced substantial enhancement of IL-4 (a Type 2 cytokine) levels while three compounds (16b, 16c, and 16f) showed significant suppression of IFNgamma (a Type 1 cytokine) levels. The results revealed a strict structural requirement for the nucleoside-mediated enhancement of IL-4. Modifications of the ribofuranose moiety of the nucleosides either abolished or dramatically reduced the activity. Both the 5'-hydroxy and 5-carboxamidine are crucial for the activity. Of the few nucleoside analogues that demonstrated enhancement on Type 2 cytokine production, 7-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrrolo[2, 3-d]-4-pyrimidone-5-carboxamidine (16c) showed a dramatic enhancement (>200%) of IL-4 levels and a significant enhancement (36%) of IL-5 levels. Moreover, this compound showed substantial suppression of the Type 1 cytokines, IFNgamma (42%), IL-2 (54%), and TNFalpha (55%). Similarly, compound 16b showed a substantial enhancement of IL-4 (46%) and suppression of IL-2 (35%), IFNgamma (30%), and TNFalpha (26%). To our knowledge, these are the first nucleoside analogues that induce a Type 2 cytokine bias in T cells. The cytokine modulation property of 16c and 16b merits the therapeutic evaluation of these compounds in treating diseases in which immunopathology is associated with polarized Type 1 cytokine responses.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Asymmetric synthesis and biological evaluation of beta-L-(2R,5S)- and alpha-L-(2R,5R)-1,3-oxathiolane-pyrimidine and -purine nucleosides as potential anti-HIV agents.

In order to study the structure-activity relationships of L-oxathiolanyl nucleosides as potential anti-HIV agents, a series of enantiomerically pure L-oxathiolanyl pyrimidine and purine nucleosides were synthesized and evaluated for anti-HIV-1 activity in human peripheral blood mononuclear (PBM) cells. The key intermediate 8 was synthesized starting from L-gulose via 1,6-thioanhydro-L-gulopyranose. The acetate 8 was condensed with thymine, 5-substituted uracils and cytosines, 6-chloropurine, and 6-chloro-2-fluoropurine to give pyrimidine and purine nucleosides. Upon evaluation of these final nucleosides, the 5-fluorocytosine derivative 51 was found to be the most potent compound among those tested. In the case of 5-substituted cytosine analogues, the antiviral potency was found to be in the following decreasing order: cytosine (beta-isomer) > 5-iodocytosine (beta-isomer) > 5-fluorocytosine (alpha-isomer) > 5-methylcytosine (alpha-isomer) > 5-methylcytosine (beta-isomer) > 5-bromocytosine (beta-isomer) > 5-chlorocytosine (beta-isomer). Among the thymine, uracil, and 5-substituted uracil derivatives, thymine (alpha-isomer) and uracil (beta-isomer) derivatives exhibited moderate anti-HIV activity. In the purine series, the antiviral potency is found to be in the following decreasing order: adenine (beta-isomer) > 6-chloropurine (beta-isomer) > 6-chloropurine (alpha-isomer) > 2-NH2-6-Cl-purine (beta-isomer) > guanine (beta-isomer) > N6-methyladenine (alpha-isomer) > N6-methyladenine (beta-isomer). The cytotoxicity was also determined in human PBM cells as well as Vero cells. None of the synthesized nucleosides was toxic up to 100 microM in PBM cells.

Antiviral Agents↗

Cloning of a human nucleoside transporter implicated in the cellular uptake of adenosine and chemotherapeutic drugs.

In most mammalian cells nucleoside uptake occurs primarily via broad-specificity, es (e, equilibrative; 5, sensitive to NBMPR inhibition) transporters that are potently inhibited by nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR). These transporters are essential for nucleotide synthesis by salvage pathways in hemopoietic and other cells that lack de novo pathways and are the route of cellular uptake for many cytotoxic nucleosides used in cancer and viral chemotherapy. They play an important role in adenosine-mediated regulation of many physiological processes, including neurotransmission and platelet aggregation, and are a target for coronary vasodilator drugs. We have previously reported the purification of the prototypic es transporter from human erythrocytes and have shown that this glycoprotein of apparent M, 55,000 is immunologically related to nucleoside transporters from several other species and tissues, including human placenta. Here we report the isolation of a human placental cDNA encoding a 456-residue glycoprotein with functional characteristics typical of an es-type transporter. It is predicted to possess 11 membrane-spanning regions and is homologous to several proteins of unknown function in yeast, nematodes, plants and mammals. Because of its central role in the uptake both of adenosine and of chemotherapeutic nucleosides, study of this protein should not only provide insights into the physiological roles of nucleoside transport but also open the way to improved therapies.

Adenosine↗

[3H]dipyridamole binding to nucleoside transporters from guinea-pig and rat lung.

Membranes from guinea-pig lung exhibited high-affinity binding of [3H]dipyridamole, a potent inhibitor of nucleoside transport. Binding (apparent KD 2 nM) was inhibited by the nucleoside-transport inhibitors nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR), dilazep and lidoflazine and by the transported nucleosides uridine and adenosine. In contrast, there was no detectable high-affinity binding of [3H]dipyridamole to lung membranes from the rat, a species whose nucleoside transporters exhibit a low sensitivity to dipyridamole inhibition. Bmax. values for high-affinity binding of [3H]dipyridamole and [3H]NBMPR to guinea-pig membranes were similar, suggesting that these structurally unrelated ligands bind to the NBMPR-sensitive nucleoside transporter with the same stoichiometry.

Animals↗

Human nucleoside diphosphate kinase B (Nm23-H2) from melanoma cells shows altered phosphoryl transfer activity due to the S122P mutation.

The Ser122 --> Pro mutation in human nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK)-B/Nm23-H2 was recently found in melanoma cells. In comparison to the wild-type enzyme, steady state activity of NDKS122P with ATP and TDP as substrates was slowed down 5-fold. We have utilized transient kinetic techniques to analyze phosphoryl transfer between the mutant enzyme and various pairs of nucleoside triphosphates and nucleoside diphosphates. The two half-reactions of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the active site histidine residue (His118) were studied separately by making use of the intrinsic fluorescence changes which occur during these reactions. All apparent second order rate constants are drastically reduced, falling 5-fold for phosphorylation and 40-200-fold for dephosphorylation. Also, the reactivity of the mutant with pyrimidine nucleotides and deoxy nucleotides is more than 100-fold reduced compared with the wild-type. Thus, the rate-limiting step of the NDK-BS122P-catalyzed reaction is phosphoryl transfer from the phospho-enzyme intermediate to the nucleoside diphosphate and not phosphoryl transfer from the nucleoside triphosphate to the enzyme as was found for the wild-type protein. This results in a pronounced shift of the equilibrium between unphosphorylated and phosphorylated enzyme. Moreover, like the Killer-of-prune mutation in Drosophila NDK and the neuroblastoma Ser120 --> Gly mutation in human NDK-A/Nm23-H1, the Ser122 --> Pro substitution in NDK-B affects the stability of the protein toward heat and urea. These significantly altered properties may be relevant to the role of the mutant enzyme in various intracellular processes.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Functional expression of a sodium dependent nucleoside transporter on rabbit cornea: Role in corneal permeation of acyclovir and idoxuridine.

PURPOSE: The major objectives were to investigate functional expression of nucleoside transporters on the rabbit cornea and to delineate mechanism of corneal permeation of acyclovir (ACV) and idoxuridine (IDU). Methods. Transport studies were conducted with isolated rabbit corneas at 34 degrees C using [(3)H]thymidine, [(3)H]ACV and [(3)H]IDU. RESULTS: Thymidine transport across rabbit cornea comprised of saturable (K(m) = 14.9 +/- 9.7 microM and V(max) = 0.045 +/- 0.0087 nmol/min) and non saturable (k(d) = 0.00015 +/- 0.000013 microl/min) components. Both purine and pyrimidine nucleosides including inosine inhibited transport of [(3)H]thymidine. However, nucleobases adenine and thymine did not have any inhibitory effect on thymidine transport which was sodium dependent with a Na(+): thymidine coupling ratio of greater than 1 : 1 indicating that the nucleoside transporter is of the N3 type. Although IDU inhibited transport of [(3)H]thymidine, unlabeled IDU and thymidine did not inhibit [(3)H]IDU transport suggesting that IDU was binding to the transporter but was not translocated by it. ACV did not affect transport of [(3)H]thymidine. Moreover, thymidine, adenine or unlabeled ACV did not inhibit [(3)H]ACV transport. Permeability coefficients of ACV and IDU over a 4 fold concentration range did not show any significant difference confirming that these antiviral agents permeate the cornea by passive diffusional mechanism. CONCLUSION: Functional expression of a N3 type sodium dependent nucleoside transporter has been demonstrated on the rabbit cornea. Antiviral nucleoside analogs ACV and IDU are not substrates for this transporter and appear to permeate the cornea by simple passive diffusion.

Acyclovir↗

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase as a cytosolic arsenate reductase.

The findings of the accompanying paper (Németi and Gregus, Toxicol: Sci. 70, 4-12) indicate that the arsenate (AsV) reductase activity of rat liver cytosol is due to an SH enzyme that uses phosphate (or its analogue, arsenate, AsV) and a purine nucleoside (guanosine or inosine) as substrates. Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) is such an enzyme. It catalyzes the phosphorolytic cleavage of 6-oxopurine nucleosides according to the following scheme: guanosine (or inosine) + phosphate <--> guanine (or hypoxanthine) + ribose-1-phosphate. Therefore, we have tested the hypothesis that PNP is responsible for the thiol- and purine nucleoside-dependent reduction of AsV to AsIII by rat liver cytosol. AsIII formed from AsV was quantified by HPLC-hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry analysis of the deproteinized incubates. The following findings support the conclusion that PNP reduces AsV to AsIII, using AsV instead of phosphate in the reaction above: (1) Specific PNP inhibitors (CI-1000, BCX-1777) at a concentration of 1 microM completely inhibited cytosolic AsV reductase activity. (2) During anion-exchange chromatography of cytosolic proteins, PNP activity perfectly coeluted with the AsV reductase activity, suggesting that both activities belong to the same protein. (3) PNP purified from calf spleen catalyzed reduction of AsV to AsIII in the presence of dithiothreitol (DTT) and a 6-oxopurine nucleoside (guanosine or inosine). (4) AsV reductase activity of purified PNP, like the cytosolic AsV reductase activity, was inhibited by phosphate (a substrate of PNP alternative to AsV), guanine and hypoxanthine (products of PNP favoring the reverse reaction), mercurial thiol reagents (nonspecific inhibitors of PNP), as well as CI-1000 and BCX-1777 (specific PNP inhibitors). Thus, PNP appears to be responsible for the AsV reductase activity of rat liver cytosol in the presence of DTT. Further research should clarify the mechanism and the in vivo significance of PNP-catalyzed reduction of AsV to AsIII.

Animals↗

Human red-blood-cell Ca2+-antagonist binding sites. Evidence for an unusual receptor coupled to the nucleoside transporter.

The human red blood cell ghost Ca2+-antagonist binding sites were characterized with (+/-)-[3H]nimodipine. The labelled 1,4-dihydropyridine bound in a non-cooperative, reversible manner with a Kd of 52 nM at 25 degrees C to 9.65 pmol sites/mg ghost protein. The stereochemistry of the binding domain was evaluated with the optically pure enantiomers of chiral 1,4-dihydropyridines. In contrast to the 1,4-dihydropyridine-selective receptors on Ca2+ channels in electrically excitable tissues, the (+) enantiomer of nimodipine and the (-) enantiomer of the benzoxadiazol 1,4-dihydropyridine (PN 200-110) were bound with higher affinity than the respective optical antipodes. The human red blood cell ghost [3H]nimodipine-labelled sites also interacted with the inorganic Ca2+-antagonist La3+ (increase in the number of binding sites), and were allosterically regulated by the optical enantiomers of the phenylalkylamine-type Ca2+-antagonists (e.g. verapamil, desmethoxyverapamil, methoxyverapamil). The benzothiazepines d- or l-cis-diltiazem were without effect. Nucleosides (adenosine approximately equal to inosine greater than cytidine) were inhibitory at the nimodipine-labelled site, as were the nucleoside uptake inhibitors dipyridamole, hexobendine, dilazep, nitrobenzylthioinosine and nitrobenzylthioguanosine. The binding sites have essential sulfhydryl groups, show trypsin sensitivity, but are relatively heat stable. When nitrobenzylthioinosine was employed as a covalent probe to inactivate the red blood cell ghost nucleoside carrier, [3H]nimodipine binding was irreversibly lost. (+)-Nimodipine greater than (-)-nimodipine inhibited [14C]adenosine transport into human red blood cells. A good correlation between IC50 values for inhibition of [3H]nimodipine binding and IC50 values for inhibition of [14C]adenosine uptake was found for 18 compounds. Sheep red blood cells (which lack the nucleoside transporter) had no detectable [3H]nimodipine binding sites. It is concluded that the Ca2+-antagonist receptor sites of the human erythrocyte are coupled to the nucleoside transporter.

Adenosine↗

The role of human nucleoside transporters in cellular uptake of 4'-thio-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine and beta-D-arabinosylcytosine.

4'-Thio-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl cytosine (TaraC) is in phase I development for treatment of cancer. In human equilibrative nucleoside transporter (hENT) 1-containing CEM cells, initial rates of uptake (10 microM; picomoles per microliter of cell water per second) of [3H]TaraC and [3H]1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl cytosine (araC) were low (0.007 +/- 003 and 0.034 +/- 0.003, respectively) compared with that of [3H]uridine (0.317 +/- 0.048), a highactivity hENT1 permeant. In hENT1- and hENT2-containing HeLa cells, initial rates of uptake (10 microM; picomoles per cell per second) of [3H]TaraC, [3H]araC, and [3H]deoxycytidine were low (0.30 +/- 0.003, 0.42 +/- 0.03, and 0.51 +/- 0.11, respectively) and mediated primarily by hENT1 (approximately 74, approximately 65, and approximately 61%, respectively). In HeLa cells with recombinant human concentrative nucleoside transporter (hCNT) 1 or hCNT3 and pharmacologically blocked hENT1 and hENT2, transport of 10 microM[3H]TaraC and [3H]araC was not detected. The apparent affinities of recombinant transporters (produced in yeast) for a panel of cytosine-containing nucleosides yielded results that were consistent with the observed low-permeant activities of TaraC and araC for hENT1/2 and negligible permeant activities for hCNT1/2/3. During prolonged drug exposures of CEM cells with hENT1 activity, araC was more cytotoxic than TaraC, whereas coexposures with nitrobenzylthioinosine (to pharmacologically block hENT1) yielded identical cytotoxicities for araC and TaraC. The introduction by gene transfer of hENT2 and hCNT1 activities, respectively, into nucleoside transport-defective CEM cells increased sensitivity to both drugs moderately and slightly. These results demonstrated that nucleoside transport capacity (primarily via hENT1, to a lesser extent by hENT2 and possibly by hCNT1) is a determinant of pharmacological activity of both drugs.

Animals↗

Localization of purine and pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylases in heart, kidney, and liver.

In isolated livers and kidneys perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution, the relationship of the concentration of adenosine (Ado) to that of its degradation products inosine (Ino) and hypoxanthine (Hyp) in biliary, urinary, and venous effluents were determined. They revealed ratios of Hyp:Ado:Ino, 1.9:1:0.9, 0.7:1:0.6, and 1.3:1:0.5 for guinea pig biliary, guinea pig urinary, and rat urinary effluents, respectively, and their respective venous effluent were 58:1:29, 8.6:1:5.4, and 7.4:1:3.2. The greater proportion of Ino and Hyp in the venous effluents suggests active production in Ino and Hyp at the vessel wall. Purine nucleoside phosphorylase localization was determined histochemically and found most active in the cytoplasm of capillary endothelium and Kupffer cells. Thus, there is agreement between purine analysis and histochemical findings. The reliability of the histochemical technique was also tested by comparing activities of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (a cytoplasmic enzyme) and pyrmidine nucleoside phosphorylase (a nuclear enzyme) that catalyze similar reactions (nucleoside + inorganic phosphate in equilibrium base + ribose-1-phosphate) but with different base specificites and cellular localization, as indicated by cell fractionation studies. The histochemical results show that in contrast to the purine nucleoside phosphorylase, the pyrmidine specific enzyme was most active in the nuclei of endothelial and Kupffer cells. Thus, the technique discriminates between the two enzymes.

Adenosine↗

Properties of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) of mammalian and bacterial origin.

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), from calf spleen, human erythrocytes and E. coli have been examined with regard to structural requirements of substrates and inhibitors. Kinetic parameters (Km, Vmax/Km) for a variety of N(1) and/or N(7)-methylated analogues of guanosine, inosine and adenosine have been evaluated for all three enzymes. The substrate and/or inhibitor properties of purine riboside, 1,6-dihydropurine riboside, some deazapurine nucleosides: 3-deaza- and 7-deazainosine, 1,3-dideazapurine riboside (ribobenzimidazole), and a variety of acyclonucleosides, have been determined with mammalian and bacterial enzymes. Overall results indicate distinct similarities of kinetic properties and structural requirements of the two mammalian enzymes, although there are some differences as well. The N(1) and O6 of the purine ring are necessary for substrate-inhibitor activity and constitute a binding site for the mammalian (but not the bacterial) enzymes. Moreover, nucleosides lacking the N(3) undergo phosphorolysis and those lacking N(7) are inhibitors (but not substrates). Methylation of the ring N(7) leads to two overlapping effects: labilization of the glycosidic bond, and impediment to protonation at this site by the enzyme, a postulated prerequisite for enzymatic phosphorolysis. It is proposed that a histidine interacts with N(1) as a donor and O6 as an acceptor. Alternatively N(1)-H and C(2)-NH2 may serve as donors for hydrogen bonds with a glutamate residue. The less specific E. coli enzyme phosphorolyses all purine ring modified nucleosides but 7-deazainosine which is only an inhibitor. On the other hand, the bacterial enzyme exhibits decreased activity towards N(7)-methylated nucleosides and lack of affinity for a majority of the tested acyclonucleoside inhibitors of the mammalian enzymes. The foregoing results underline the fundamental differences between mammalian and bacterial enzymes, including variations in the binding sites for the purine ring.

Animals↗

New nucleoside analogs in the treatment of hematological disorders.

Cytotoxic nucleoside analogs have a broad clinical use. They were among the first chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of malignant diseases. The anticancer nucleosides include analogs of physiologic pyrimidine and purine nucleosides. They are used in oncology in the treatment of both, solid tumors and hematological malignancies. These agents have many intracellular targets, e.g. they act as antimetabolites, competing with natural nucleosides during DNA or RNA synthesis and as inhibitors of key cell enzymes. Understanding of the mechanisms of action of these compounds and synthesis of new analogs provides the possibility to further expand the spectrum of their clinical use and enhance their antitumor activity. In this paper we describe mechanisms of action and possible clinical use in the treatment of hematological malignancies of these nucleoside analogs, which are now in different stages of clinical trials, namely tezacitabine, troxacitabine, clofarabine, nelarabine, decitabine, CNDAC and ECyD.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

[The use of immobilized enzymes for the synthesis of nucleosides and nucleotides including the ones labeled with radioactive isotopes].

Nucleoside phosphorylases from E. coli immobilized in polyacrylamide gel were used for production of nucleosides from nitrous bases during the transglucosylase reaction. Phosphorylation of nucleosides resulted in the formation of 5'-nucleotides was performed in the presence of carrot nucleoside phosphotransferase immobilized in polyacrylamide gel. Using 14C-labelled nitrous bases as starting substrates, labelled nucleosides and nucleotides can be obtained with the 75-80% yield that have radioactive purity of 95-99%. The stability of the immobilized enzymes was being studied under the conditions of the reactions using them in the batch and plug flow reactors.

Enzyme Stability↗

Metabolism of pyrimidine bases and nucleosides by Pseudomonas fluorescens biotype F.

Pyrimidine metabolism in Pseudomonas fluorescens biotype F, and its ability to grow in liquid culture on pyrimidines and related compounds was investigated. It was found that uracil, uridine, cytosine, cytidine, deoxycytidine, dihydrouracil, dihydrothymine, beta-alanine or beta-aminoisobutyric acid could be utilized by this pseudomonad as a sole nitrogen source. Only uridine, cytidine, beta-alanine, beta-aminoisobutyric acid or ribose were capable of supporting its growth as a sole source of carbon. In solid medium, the pyrimidine analogue 5-fluorouracil or 5-fluorouridine could prevent P. fluorescens biotype F growth at a low concentration while a 20-fold higher concentration of 5-fluorocytosine, 5-fluorodeoxyuridine or 6-azauracil was necessary to block its growth. The pyrimidine salvage enzymes cytosine deaminase, nucleoside hydrolase, uridine phosphorylase, thymidine phosphorylase and cytidine deaminase were assayed. Only cytosine deaminase and nucleoside hydrolase activities could be detected under the assay conditions used. The effect of growth conditions on cytosine deaminase and nucleoside hydrolase levels in the micro-organism was explored. Cytosine deaminase activity was shown to increase if glycerol was substituted for glucose as the sole carbon source or if asparagine replaced (NH4)2SO4 as the sole nitrogen source in each respective medium. In contrast, nucleoside hydrolase activity remained virtually unchanged whether the carbon source in the medium was glucose or glycerol. A decrease in nucleoside hydrolase activity was witnessed when asparagine was present in the medium instead of (NH4)2SO4 as the sole source of nitrogen.

Cytosine Deaminase↗

Differential expression of human nucleoside transporters in normal and tumor tissue.

Responses to nucleoside analog drugs used in the treatment of cancers and viral infections can vary considerably between individuals. Genetic variability between individuals in their ability to transport drugs may be a contributory factor. Nucleoside transporters (NTs) move nucleosides and analog drugs across cell membranes. Four human NTs have been cloned: hENT1, hENT2, hCNT1, and hCNT2. Human NT expression profiles are not well defined; therefore, we undertook a comprehensive quantitative analysis of the differential expression of NTs within normal and tumor tissue. Results show tissue specific expression of the different NTs in normal tissue while matched normal/tumor tissue cDNA array data show considerable variability in all NT expression profiles from different individuals, in particular decreased expression in tumor tissue. Decreased NT expression in tumor tissue may contribute to reduced drug uptake and the development of resistance. These data suggest that nucleoside analog drug therapies may be optimized by determining individual NT expression profiles.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR)-sensitive (es) and NBMPR-insensitive (ei) equilibrative nucleoside transporter proteins (rENT1 and rENT2) from rat tissues.

Equilibrative nucleoside transport processes in mammalian cells are either nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR)-sensitive (es) or NBMPR-insensitive (ei). Previously, we isolated a cDNA from human placenta encoding the 456-residue glycoprotein hENT1. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, hENT1 mediated es-type transport activity and was inhibited by coronary vasoactive drugs (dipyridamole and dilazep) that may compete with nucleosides and NBMPR for binding to the substrate binding site. We now report the molecular cloning and functional expression of es and ei homologs of hENT1 from rat tissues; rENT1 (457 residues) was 78% identical to hENT1 in amino acid sequence, and rENT2 (456 residues) was 49-50% identical to rENT1/hENT1 and corresponded to a full-length form of the delayed-early proliferative response gene product HNP36, a protein of unknown function previously cloned in truncated form. rENT1 was inhibited by NBMPR (IC50 = 4.6 nM at 10 microM uridine), whereas rENT2 was NBMPR-insensitive (IC50 > 1 microM). Both proteins mediated saturable uridine influx (Km = 0.15 and 0.30 mM, respectively), were broadly selective for purine and pyrimidine nucleosides, including adenosine, and were relatively insensitive to inhibition by dipyridamole and dilazep (IC50 > 1 microM). These observations demonstrate that es and ei nucleoside transport activities are mediated by separate, but homologous, proteins and establish a function for the HNP36 gene product.

Affinity Labels↗

Regulation of equilibrative nucleoside uptake by protein kinase inhibitors.

The uptake of nucleosides and nucleoside analogs into human leukemia K562 cells is facilitated by the equilibrative transporters ENT1 and ENT2. Incubation of K562 cells with a variety of protein kinase inhibitors inhibited the transport of both uridine (ARA-C) and cytidine (CPEC) analogs. These inhibitory effects were observed for a large number of kinase inhibitors including those against p38 MAPK, the EGF receptor kinase, protein kinase C, TOR and others. Thus these results suggest that the nucleoside transporters are unexpected targets for kinase inhibitors and may influence the design and application of combinatorial approaches of nucleoside analogs and kinase inhibitors in clinical applications.

Animals↗

Urinary nucleosides.

The methods of analysis, origins, and clinical significance of urinary nucleosides are reviewed through 1997. Structures, chromatographic and mass spectral data and references to the clinical literature are presented for each of the 57 nucleosides currently identified in normal and pathogenic human urine samples. Data from the HPLC separation and GC/MS analysis of 37 individual HPLC fractions are presented and discussed. Methods, including sample preparation techniques, used for the analysis of urinary nucleosides including GC, HPLC, GC/MS, HPLC/MS and immunoassays are compared and the advantages and limitations of each method described. The conclusion is drawn that the urinary nucleosides do serve as biomarkers of cancer and other diseases, but analytical methods need further improvement if clinical decisions are to be made based on the levels of nucleosides in human urine.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗