Uridine phosphorylase association with vimentin. Intracellular distribution and localization.

Uridine phosphorylase (UPase), a key enzyme in the pyrimidine salvage pathway, is associated with the intermediate filament protein vimentin, in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and colon 26 cells. Affinity chromatography was utilized to purify UPase from colon 26 and NIH 3T3 cells using the uridine phosphorylase inhibitor 5'-amino benzylacyclouridine linked to an agarose matrix. Vimentin copurification with UPase was confirmed using both Western blot analysis and MALDI-MS methods. Separation of cytosolic proteins using gel filtration chromatography yields a high molecular weight complex containing UPase and vimentin. Purified recombinant UPase and recombinant vimentin were shown to bind in vitro with an affinity of 120 pm and a stoichiometry of 1:2. Immunofluorescence techniques confirm that UPase is associated with vimentin in both NIH 3T3 and colon 26 cells and that depolymerization of the microtubule system using nocodazole results in UPase remaining associated with the collapsed intermediate filament, vimentin. Our data demonstrate that UPase is associated with both the soluble and insoluble pools of vimentin. Approximately 60-70% of the total UPase exists in the cytosol as a soluble protein. Sequential extraction of NIH 3T3 or colon 26 cells liberates an additional 30-40% UPase activity associated with a detergent extractable fraction. All pools of UPase have been shown to possess enzymatic activity. We demonstrate for the first time that UPase is associated with vimentin and the existence of an enzymatically active cytoskeleton-associated UPase.

Genomic structure, chromosomal mapping, and promoter region analysis of murine uridine phosphorylase gene.

Uridine phosphorylase (UPase) plays an important role in the activation of 5-fluorouracil and in the regulation of tissue and plasma concentration of uridine, a potential biochemical modulator of 5-fluorouracil therapy. UPase expression is affected by the c-H-ras oncogene and various cytokines through unknown mechanisms. To understand its expression and regulation, we cloned the murine UPase gene, defined its genomic organization, determined its 5'- and 3'-end flanking sequences, and evaluated the promoter activity. The UPase gene contains nine exons and eight introns, spanning a total of approximately 18.0 kb. Its promoter lacks canonical TATA and CCAAT boxes, although a CAATAAAAA TATA-like box is seen from -41 to -49. Furthermore, IFN regulatory factor 1, c/v-Myb, and p53 binding sites are present in the promoter region, indicating that UPase expression may be directly regulated by cytokines and oncogene products. The 1.2-kb flanking fragment showed promoter activity driving the expression of the luciferase gene in various mammalian cells. A TGGGG repeat sequence is seen in the 3'-end flanking region. This element is considered to be a potential recombination consensus hot spot that may contribute to the encoding of different UPase isoforms present in different tissues, both normal and neoplastic.

beta-alanine and alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine concentrative transport in rat hepatocytes is mediated by GABA transporter GAT-2.

Studies on the compartmentalization of uridine catabolic metabolism in liver have indicated accumulation of beta-alanine as well as alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine (FbetaAL) for 5-fluorouracil in the hepatocytes. Using preparations of rat hepatocytes we were able to identify a Na+-dependent transport with high affinity for beta-alanine and GABA with Michaelis constant (Km) of 35.3 and 22.5 microM, respectively. A second Na+-dependent kinetic component with Km >1 mM was also identified. The sigmoidal profile of beta-alanine uptake with respect to Na+ shows the involvement of multiple ions of sodium in the transport process. A Hill coefficient of 2.6 +/- 0.4 indicates that at least two sodium ions are cotransported with beta-alanine. The flux of beta-alanine was also shown to be chlorine dependent. The substitution of this anion with gluconate, even in the presence of Na+, reduced the intracellular concentrative accumulation of beta-alanine to passive diffusion level, indicating that both Na+ and Cl- are essential for the activity of this transporter. The transport of beta-alanine was inhibited by GABA, hypotaurine, beta-aminoisobutyric acid, and FbetaAL in a competitive manner. However, concentrations up to 1 mM of L- and D-alanine, taurine, and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid did not affect beta-alanine uptake. Considering the similarities in substrate specificity with the rat GAT-2 transporter, extracts of hepatocytes were probed with the anti-GABA transporter antibody R-22. A 80-kDa band corresponding to GAT-2 was present in the hepatocyte and in the GAT-2 transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney cell extract, confirming the extraneural localization of this transporter. In view of these results, the neurotoxic effects related to the administration of uridine and 5-fluorouracil could be explained with the formation of beta-alanine and FbetaAL and their effect on the cellular reuptake of GABA.

Expression, characterization, and detection of human uridine phosphorylase and identification of variant uridine phosphorolytic activity in selected human tumors.

Uridine phosphorylase (UPase) catalyzes the reversible phosphorolysis of uridine to uracil. We purified the enzyme from the murine colon 26 tumor using a two-step procedure through 5-amino-benzylacyclouridine affinity chromatography. Antibodies raised in rabbits against the purified protein revealed single bands in Western blots of normal human tissue and tumor extracts. The polyclonal antibody used to screen a human liver expression library allowed the isolation of a 1.2-kb clone that contained the entire open reading frame of the human UPase. The UPase cDNA has been expressed as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli using the pMal-C2 vector. The kinetic analysis demonstrated that the recombinant UPase preferentially uses uridine, 5-fluorouracil, and uracil as substrates, although lower levels of activity were observed with 2-deoxyuridine and thymidine. Clinical samples of human tumors and adjacent normal tissues were assayed for phosphorolytic activity and sensitivity to 5-benzylacyclouridine (BAU), a potent inhibitor of the enzyme presently in Phase I-II clinical trial. Activity in normal tissues appeared to be low but very sensitive to BAU (approximately 90% inhibition at 10 microM). Tumors had generally 2-3-fold greater activity compared with adjacent normal tissues. In breast cancer specimens and head-neck squamous carcinomas, however, uridine cleavage was only partially inhibited (40-60%) by 10 or 100 microM BAU. The BAU-insensitive activity requires phosphate and pH conditions similar to the normal enzyme, and the new phosphorolytic activity was independent from thymidine phosphorylase. The BAU-insensitive phosphorolytic activity in selected tumors, coupled with the potent inhibitory activity of BAU against the "classical" uridine phosphorylase in normal human tissues, provides the rationale for combining BAU with 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of breast and head-neck tumors.

Discrete roles of hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells in uridine catabolism as a component of its homeostasis.

Previous studies indicated that uridine is essentially cleared in a single pass through a rat liver and replaced in a highly regulated manner by uridine formed presumably by de novo synthesis. We report a cellular basis for the catabolic component of this apparent paradox by dissociation of the liver with collagenase into two cell fractions, hepatocytes and a nonparenchymal cell population. Suspensions of the nonparenchymal cells rapidly cleave uridine to uracil, whereas in hepatocytes this activity was <5% of that in nonparenchymal cells. Conversely, hepatocytes cause extensive degradation of uracil to -alanine. These differences correlate with the uridine phosphorylase and dihydrouracil dehydrogenase activity in cell-free extracts of each cell type. We have documented the existence of a Na+-dependent, nitrobenzylthioinosine-insensitive transport system for uridine in the parenchymal cells (Michaelis constant 46 +/- 5 microM) that achieves a three- to fourfold concentration gradient in hepatocytes. A similar system is present in the nonparenchymal cell population. In addition, a highly specific and active Na+-dependent transport system for beta-alanine, the primary catabolic metabolite of uracil, has been demonstrated in hepatocytes.

Phase I clinical and pharmacological studies of benzylacyclouridine, a uridine phosphorylase inhibitor.

Benzylacyclouridine (BAU, IND 039655) is a potent and specific inhibitor of uridine phosphorylase (UrdPase; EC 2.4.2.3). This enzyme plays a major role in regulating uridine homeostasis and also catalyzes the conversion of fluoropyrimidine nucleosides to their respective bases. Inhibition of UrdPase enzyme activity 18-24 h after 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) administration increased plasma levels of uridine and enhanced the therapeutic index of 5-FU by rescuing normal tissues. Moreover, in vitro preclinical studies have also shown that inhibiting UrdPase enzyme activity by BAU prior to administration of 5-FU increased cytotoxicity in a number of human cancer cell lines. A series of preclinical studies was performed in dogs and pigs to evaluate the pharmacological and pharmacodynamic properties of BAU. These data showed a sustained elevation in plasma uridine concentration in both animal models. The rapid degradation of a tracer dose of uridine into uracil was virtually arrested by BAU administered both p.o. or i.v. The t1/2 of BAU was 1.8-3.6 h in dogs, with bioavailability levels of 85% (30 mg/kg) and 42.5% (120 mg/kg). In pigs, the half-life varied from 1.6 to 2.3 h, with a bioavailability of 40% at 120 mg/kg. The drug was distributed into most tissues with a tissue: plasma ratio of approximately 0.7. On the basis of these preclinical studies, we performed a Phase I clinical trial of BAU in patients with advanced cancer. Patients received 200, 400, 800, and 1600 mg/m2 BAU as a single oral dose. Toxicities included grade 2 anemia, grade 1 fever, grade 1 fatigue, grade 1 constipation, and grade 1 elevation in alkaline phosphatase; none of these toxicities were observed to be dose dependent. The maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicity were not reached at the doses given. BAU plasma concentrations and area under the curve correlated linearly with the oral dose level. The pharmacokinetics of BAU were consistent with a first-order clearance, with average peak concentrations ranging from 19 microM (200 mg/m2) to 99 microM (1600 mg/m2) and tbeta1/2 ranging from 3.0 to 3.9 h at the four dose levels. Compared with baseline plasma uridine, treatment of patients with 200, 400, 800, and 1600 mg/m2 BAU increased peak uridine concentrations by 120, 150, 250, and 175%, respectively. On the basis of this clinical study, the suggested Phase II starting dose of BAU in combination with 5-FU is 800 mg/m2. Studies combining BAU with 5-FU and incorporating appropriate molecular and biochemical end points to assess the effects of this drug combination on tumor and/or surrogate tumor tissue are under way.

HIV protease substrate conformation: modulation by cyclophilin A.

Cyclophilin A (CyPA), a cytosolic peptidyl-prolyl trans-cis isomerase can accelerate the trans-cis isomerization of Xxx-Pro peptide bonds. One- and two-dimensional 1H-NMR spectroscopy were used to determine that the heptapeptide Ser-Gln-Asn-Tyr-Pro-Ile-Val, a model peptide of an HIV-1 protease cleavage site in the gag polyprotein of HIV-1, is a substrate for CyPA. Experiments revealed a slow exchange about the Tyr-Pro peptide bond with 30 +/- 5% in the cis conformation (pH 1-9). While the interconversion rate is too slow to measure by kinetic NMR methods in the absence of CyPA, these methods, saturation transfer and NOE experiments, established that CyPA enhanced the rate of trans-cis interconversion, a process inhibited by cyclosporin A (CsA). With a substrate:CyPA ratio of 40:1, an interconversion rate of 2.5 s(-1) at 25 degrees C was observed.

Pharmacokinetic and phase I trial of intraperitoneal carboplatin and cyclosporine in refractory ovarian cancer patients.

PURPOSE: The feasibility and pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine (CsA) delivered intraperitoneally (IP) have not been previously explored. We performed a pharmacokinetic study of IP CsA followed by a phase I dose-escalation trial of the combination of IP CsA and carboplatin in refractory ovarian cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A pilot study was performed of three patients who received 1, 10, and 20 mg/kg IP CsA alone. Subsequently, a phase I trial of 35 patients was performed between April 1990 and April 1993. Whole-blood and IP fluid CsA concentrations were measured at serial time points. The highest dose delivered IP was 34.6 mg CsA/kg in combination with carboplatin (250 mg/m2 or 300 mg/m2, depending on creatinine clearance), which was not dose-escalated. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) for CsA and half-life (T1/2) were calculated. Objective and serologic responses were noted, and toxicity was graded using the National Cancer Institute common toxicity criteria. RESULTS: The feasibility of delivering IP CsA alone was established. We observed a 1,000:1 ratio between IP fluid and blood concentrations at 20 mg CsA/kg. Pharmacokinetic analysis confirmed that at 20 mg CsA/kg, there was an IP fluid-to-blood AUC ratio of 600:1 in favor of peritoneal exposure. At the highest dose delivered, 34.6 mg CsA/kg, the mean IP CsA levels of 1,110 micrograms/ mL were tolerated moderately well and the IP fluid-to-blood ratio of 1,000:1 was maintained. Blood and IP CsA concentrations were analyzed in the presence and absence of IP carboplatin. At 20 mg CsA/kg, there was no difference in either mean blood CsA levels (0.9 microgram/ mL) or mean IP CsA concentrations (1,000 micrograms/mL) obtained in the absence or presence of carboplatin. The most common toxicity in the phase I study was anemia, seen in 66% of patients. Common toxicities at the maximum CsA dose delivered (34.6 mg/kg) were anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and hypertension. In this trial, three objective responses (two complete and one partial) were observed for a duration of 3 to 11 months. Control of platinum-resistant ascites was an important feature, noted in five of eight patients. CONCLUSION: We have established the feasibility of delivering IP CsA up to doses of 34.6 mg/kg in conjunction with carboplatin, and the sustaining of IP fluid to blood ratios of 1,000:1. The IP administration of CsA resulted in a favorable ratio of exposure for the peritoneal cavity compared with systemic exposure, indicating a therapeutic advantage of this approach with a significant decrease in systemic toxicity. We recommend that 34.6 mg/ kg of IP CsA be tested as a phase II dose in combination with carboplatin in refractory ovarian cancer patients. This report provides the groundwork for future studies using IP CsA, both as a chemomodulator of platinum and of multidrug resistance.

Regulation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells in stably transfected Jurkat cell clones.

Two Jurkat cell clones have been stably transfected with a reporter vector for the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). Upon stimulation, they express high levels of secreted heat stable placental alkaline phosphatase. With these clones, we demonstrated that NFAT activation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin was inhibited by both cyclosporin A (CsA) (IC50 = 8 nM) and FK506 (IC50 = 160 pM), presumably by inhibition of calcineurin activity. Selective phosphatase inhibitors for protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and 2A (PP2A) that do not inhibit calcineurin, such as okadaic acid and calyculin A, also inhibited NFAT activation with IC50s of 87 nM and 4 nM, respectively, suggesting that okadaic acid and related inhibitors may block NFAT activation through the inhibition of PP1, instead of PP2A. NFAT activation was also inhibited by agents that increase cAMP concentrations such as dibutyryl cAMP, forskolin and prostaglandin E2. These stable Jurkat cell clones provide a convenient and sensitive tool to study NFAT regulation.

Tamoxifen induces Na+ -dependent uridine transport and dome formation in a human breast tumor cell line.

PURPOSE: To correlate changes in uridine transport and colony morphology with differentiation of human breast cancer cells by tamoxifen and related agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cultures of MCF-7 human breast cancer were treated with estradiol or the antiestrogen derivatives tamoxifen, hydroxytamoxifen, and ICI 164, 384. Initial rates of uridine transport and equilibrium concentrations were determined and morphological characteristics of the cultures evaluated. RESULTS: Tamoxifen causes an early induction of a Na+ -dependent transport of uridine characteristic of normal epithelial cells but absent in normal MCF-7 cultures and most human neoplasms examined. The pure antiestrogen ICI 164,384 and the more potent 4-hydroxytamoxifen also induced concentrative uridine transport; estradiol could prevent the expression of this transporter. Associated with induction of transport was a dramatic increase in dome formation in the cultures, a measure of unidirectional inorganic ion transport characteristic of the differentiated state. CONCLUSIONS: The induction of a concentrative transport of uridine is a concomitant of cellular differentiation of breast tumor cells. These findings give added weight to evidence that uridine may play a regulatory role in the transition to the neoplastic state. The absence of the transporter and low intracellular uridine concentrations in the undifferentiated state may relate to 5-FU sensitivity of breast tumors. Induction of the transporter by tamoxifen and the consequent major increase in intracellular concentrations of free uridine suggests a potentially negative effect of tamoxifen on regimens containing 5-FU.

The cyclosporin A-binding immunophilin CyP-40 and the FK506-binding immunophilin hsp56 bind to a common site on hsp90 and exist in independent cytosolic heterocomplexes with the untransformed glucocorticoid receptor.

We have recently shown that hsp56, the FK506-binding immunophilin component of both the heat shock protein (hsp90.hsp70.hsp56) heterocomplex and the untransformed glucocorticoid receptor heterocomplex, is bound directly to hsp90 (Czar, M. J., Owens-Grillo, J. K., Dittmar, K. D., Hutchison, K. A., Zacharek, A. M., Leach, K. L., Deibel, M. R., and Pratt, W. B. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 11155-11161). In this work, we show that both untransformed glucocorticoid receptor and hsp90 heterocomplexes contain CyP-40, a 40-kDa immunophilin of the cyclosporin A-binding class. CyP-40 is present in both native glucocorticoid receptor heterocomplexes and receptor heterocomplexes reconstituted with rabbit reticulocyte lysate, and the presence of CyP-40 in the receptor heterocomplex is stabilized by molybdate. Immunoadsorption of hsp90 from cell lysate yields coimmunoadsorption of both hsp56 and CyP-40, showing that both immunophilins are in native heterocomplex with hsp90. However, immunoadsorption of hsp56 does not yield coimmunoadsorption of CyP-40; thus, the two immunophilins do not exist in the same heterocomplex with hsp90. Both purified CyP-40 and hsp56 bind directly to purified hsp90, and excess CyP-40 blocks the binding of hsp56, consistent with the presence of a common immunophilin binding site on hsp90. Our data also suggest that there are at least two types of untransformed glucocorticoid receptor-hsp90 heterocomplexes, one that contains hsp56 and another that contains CyP-40. The role played by the immunophilins in steroid receptor action is unknown, but it is clear that the peptidylprolyl isomerase activity of immunophilins is not required for glucocorticoid receptor-hsp90 heterocomplex assembly and proper folding of the hormone binding domain by the hsp90-associated protein folding system of reticulocyte lysate.

Cyclosporin A potentiates the dexamethasone-induced mouse mammary tumor virus-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity in LMCAT cells: a possible role for different heat shock protein-binding immunophilins in glucocorticosteroid receptor-mediated gene expression.

As previously observed for FK506, we report here that cyclosporin A (CsA) treatment of mouse fibroblast cells stably transfected with the mouse mammary tumor virus-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (MMTV-CAT) reporter plasmid (LMCAT cells) results in potentiation of dexamethasone (Dex)-induced CAT gene expression. Potentiation by CsA is observed in cells treated with 10-100 nM Dex but not in cells treated with 1 microM Dex, a concentration of hormone which results in maximum CAT activity. At 10 nM Dex, 1-5 microM CsA provokes an approximately 50-fold increase in CAT gene transcription, compared with transcription induced by Dex alone. No induction of CAT gene expression is observed in cells treated with CsA or FK506 in the absence of Dex. The antisteroid RU 486 abolishes effects obtained in the presence of Dex. Using a series of CsA, as well as FK506, analogs, including some devoid of calcineurin phosphatase inhibition activity, we conclude that the potentiation effects of these drugs on Dex-induced CAT gene expression in LMCAT cells do not occur through a calcineurin-mediated pathway. Western-blotting experiments following immunoprecipitation of glucocorticosteroid receptor (GR) complexes resulted in coprecipitation of GR, heat shock protein hsp90 and two immunophilins: the FK506-binding protein FKBP59 and the CsA-binding protein cyclophilin 40 (CYP40). Two separate immunophilin-hsp90 complexes are present in LMCAT cells: one containing CYP40-hsp90, the other FKBP59-hsp90. Thus, both FKBP59 and CYP40 can be classified as hsp-binding immunophilins, and their possible involvement as targets of immunosuppressants potentiating the GR-mediated transcriptional activity is discussed.

Cyclophilin-40: evidence for a dimeric complex with hsp90.

The expression of human cyclophilin 40 (CyP-40) as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein has provided a means to identify cellular components that are in association with this ubiquitous protein. When the fusion protein was coupled to a GSH affinity matrix, heat-shock protein 90 (hsp90) was found to be the predominant associated protein in all tissue extracts examined. The relatively high concentration of each of these proteins in various tissues indicates that the dimeric complex exists in concentrations that exceed those of the inactive steroid receptors of which each protein is a component. Association does not occur with heat-shock protein 70 and is not affected by cyclosporin A (CsA). Independent expression of two domains of CyP-40 permitted dissociation of N-terminal isomerase and CsA binding activity from the hsp90 binding site, which is located at the FKBP-59-like C-terminal region. The biological association of CyP-40 with hsp90 in many tissues may reflect a conjoint role in protein folding and trafficking.

Expression of human cyclophilin-40 and the effect of the His141-->Trp mutation on catalysis and cyclosporin A binding.

The cDNA encoding a human cytosolic 40-kDa cyclophilin (CyP-40) has been inserted into a modified pGEX-3X expression vector and expressed in Escherichia coli to yield recombinant CyP-40 at levels up to 4 mg/l medium. The protein was purified to homogeneity using a cyclosporin affinity matrix and gel filtration. The recombinant CyP-40 showed peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity (kcat/Km = 1.12 x 10(6) M-1.s-1) comparable to that of bovine brain CyP-40. The weak affinity of CyP-40 for cyclosporin A was postulated to arise from a histidine residue that replaces a tryptophan residue critical for cyclosporin A binding and highly conserved in other cyclophilins that have high affinity for cyclosporin A. Site-directed mutagenesis to replace His141 by tryptophan yielded a protein with an approximately 20-fold greater affinity for cyclosporin A (Kdapp 11.5 +/- 2 nM as determined by tryptophan fluorescence measurements). The intrinsic isomerase activity of this mutant protein with succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe 4-nitroanilide as substrate was about nine times greater than the value obtained for the nonmutated recombinant CyP-40 and had an activity similar to that of CyP-18. NMR difference spectroscopy and molecular modelling revealed a cyclosporin-A-binding domain that is similar to that of CyP-18.

Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites possess an unusual plasma membrane adenosine transporter.

Nucleoside transport may play a critical role in successful intracellular parasitism by Toxoplasma gondii. This protozoan is incapable of de novo purine synthesis, and must salvage purines from the host cell. We characterized purine transport by extracellular T. gondii tachyzoites, focusing on adenosine, the preferred salvage substrate. Although wild-type RH tachyzoites concentrated [3H]adenosine 1.8-fold within 30 s, approx. half of the [3H]adenosine was converted to nucleotide, consistent with the known high parasite adenosine kinase activity. Studies using an adenosine kinase deficient mutant confirmed that adenosine transport was non-concentrative. [14C]Inosine, [14C]hypoxanthine and [3H]adenine transport was also rapid and non-concentrative. Adenosine transport was inhibited by dipyridamole (IC50 approx. 0.7 microM), but not nitrobenzylthioinosine (15 microM). Transport of inosine, hypoxanthine and adenine was minimally inhibited by 10 microM dipyridamole, however. Competition experiments using unlabeled nucleosides and bases demonstrated distinct inhibitor profiles for [3H]adenosine and [14C]inosine transport. These results are most consistent with a single, dipyridamole-sensitive, adenosine transporter located in the T. gondii plasma membrane. Additional permeation pathways for inosine, hypoxanthine, adenine and other purines may also be present.

Effect of clinically modeled regimens on the growth response and development of resistance in human colon carcinoma cell lines.

Two human colon cell lines, HCT-8 and HT-29, were exposed to 5-fluorouracil (FUra) under conditions similar to the human plasma pharmacokinetic profile achieved by a single bolus dose or a sustained i.v. infusion. The bolus treatment for 5 days caused a substantial cell kill; however, only a moderate inhibition in cell growth was obtained with sustained exposure to the clinically relevant level of 2 microM. To achieve a cell kill equivalent to the bolus method, a sustained concentration of 10 microM was required. This would constitute a 60% increase in the total area under the curve (AUC) compared with the bolus treatment. After three courses of therapy with each of the schedules, emerging cell lines displayed a similar degree of resistance. HT-29 resistant cell lines returned to the original sensitivity within a few weeks, and most of the enzymes involved in the metabolic activation of FUra returned to their pretreatment activities. However, resistance and enzymatic modifications remained in the HCT-8 line for at least 3 months. In the HCT-8 cell line derived from bolus treatment, resistance was associated with a 50-60% reduction in uridine kinase activity. In the line derived from continuous exposure, there was a 35-40% reduction in uridine kinase in addition to a greater reduction in the activity of orotate phosphoribosyltransferase. These changes in both resistant cell lines resulted in a decreased incorporation of [3H]FUra into nucleic acids and a reduced formation of di- and triphosphate nucleotides of FUra.

Aberrant cell cycle inhibition pattern in human colon carcinoma cell lines after exposure to 5-fluorouracil.

In this report, we describe the use of two human colon carcinoma cell lines, HCT-8 and HT-29, as potential models to study DNA- and RNA-directed cytotoxicity due to 5-fluorouracil (FUra) exposure by flow microfluorimetric analysis of DNA cell content. The sensitivity of the HT-29 line (EC50 = 0.9 microM) to FUra was somewhat greater than that of the HCT-8 line (EC50 = 4 microM), but each presented a dramatically different DNA histogram after exposure to FUra. In HCT-8, an unexpected and nearly complete disappearance of cells in S-phase occurred, whereas in HT-29 the expected accumulation of cells at the G1-S border was observed. The absence of HCT-8 cells in S-phase also occurred as a result of two RNA polymerase inhibitors: actinomycin D and dichloro-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole. However, an accumulation of cells in S-phase was observed in the presence of 5-fluorodeoxyuridine. These results suggest that in the HCT-8 cell line, FUra predominantly causes an RNA-related toxicity. By comparison, the rate of formation of 5-fluorodeoxyuridine monophosphate, the increased dUMP pool size, and low thymidylate synthase activity in the HT-29 line are consistent with its greater susceptibility to DNA-directed toxicity. Further evidence was seen in the prevention of FUra cytotoxicity by thymidine in HT-29, but not in HCT-8 cells. Similarly, Leucovorin synergized the action of FUra in HT-29 but not in HCT-8. Enzymatic correlates supporting these observations are seen in the greater activity of uridine kinase than thymidine kinase (20:1) in HCT-8 cells compared with that in HT-29 cells (4:1).

Concentrative transport of adenosine in murine splenocytes: limitation by an ecto-adenosine deaminase.

Coincident with studies of the transport of (3H]adenosine in murine splenocytes, we have evidence for the extracellular degradation of adenosine. A Na(+)-dependent active transport system for nucleosides exists in splenocytes, but no intracellular concentration gradient of adenosine was observed. Inhibition of adenosine transport across the plasma membrane by dipyridamole and a Na(+)-free medium did not prevent the deamination of extracellular adenosine by what has been generally considered to be a cytosolic enzyme. This failure to achieve an adenosine concentration gradient appears to be consequent to the action of a very active ecto-adenosine deaminase. Inhibition of the adenosine deaminase by deoxycoformycin permits a 6-fold increase in intracellular adenosine concentration relative to the medium by the Na(+)-dependent process. Rapid inhibition of adenosine deaminase by deoxycoformycin occurs even in the presence of dipyridamole which prevents the entry of deoxycoformycin as well as adenosine into the cells in a Na(+)-free medium. These results further support the view that this is an ectoenzyme activity. The kinetics of active adenosine transport were Km = 7.8 +/- 1.1 microM with Vmax = 8.2 +/- 2.8 microM/s in a Na+ medium and much less efficiently in a Li+ medium (Km = 250 +/- 50 microM,Vmax = 7.8 +/- 1.3 microM/s). Inhibition of adenosine transport by other nucleosides suggests a single Na(+)-dependent nucleoside transport system in murine splenocytes with narrow substrate specificity.

Differentiation of HL-60 cells by dimethylsulfoxide activates a Na(+)-dependent nucleoside transport system.

Uridine transport in undifferentiated HL-60 cells occurs primarily by facilitated diffusion, but a limited Na(+)-dependent process can be demonstrated (Km = 44 +/- 4.4 microM, Vmax = 0.13 +/- 0.01 microM/s). This latter transport system was inhibited by adenosine and inosine (Ki = 110 and 260 microM, respectively), whereas guanosine and thymidine were less effective (Ki = 1600 and 1200 microM, respectively). Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) caused a concentration-dependent decrease in facilitated uridine transport. This change was attributable to a decrease in the number of transporter molecules as determined by the binding of [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine to cell membranes. Moreover, the Na(+)-dependent transport of uridine was enhanced by DMSO at a concentration of the polar solvent as low as 0.4%. When HL-60 cells were exposed to 1.0% DMSO, a marked increase in Na(+)-dependent uridine transport occurred within 72 hr, a time preceding maximum granulocytic differentiation. This change was attributable to an increase in transport affinity (Km = 1.54 +/- 0.65 microM), with no change in Vmax (Vmax = 0.13 +/- 0.02 microM/s). The consequence of these changes was the generation of a 3- to 4-fold increase in the intracellular concentration of uridine relative to the medium at a physiological concentration of 5 microM uridine. Similar increases in transport affinity were observed for adenosine, inosine, guanosine and thymidine in DMSO-differentiated HL-60 cells (Km values of 2 to 5 microM). These results complement our previous studies with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, in which differentiation to a monocytic phenotype was also associated with enhanced Na(+)-dependent nucleoside transport.

Isolation, cDNA sequences, and biochemical characterization of the major cyclosporin-binding proteins of Toxoplasma gondii.

The activities of the immunosuppressive, antifungal compounds cyclosporin A (CsA), FK-506, and rapamycin are dependent upon high affinity binding proteins collectively termed immunophilins. We report the isolation, biochemical characterization, and amino acid sequences of two major CsA-binding proteins, cyclophilins, from the pathogenic protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii. The 18.5- and 20-kDa molecular mass proteins exhibit peptidylproline cis-trans-isomerase activity, which is inhibitable by 10(-8) M CsA. The amino acid sequences of these two proteins, deduced from cDNA clones, reveal up to 70% amino acid identity to previously isolated cyclophilins. The 18.5-kDa protein appears to be synthesized as a precursor with a 15 amino acid signal peptide. The amino-terminal region of the mature 20-kDa protein has significant homology to the B subunit of the calmodulin-dependent phosphatase, calcineurin. The two T. gondii cyclophilins are products of different genes and appear to have different subcellular distributions.