Induction of beta-polymerase mRNA by DNA-damaging agents in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Sulfated glycoglycerolipid from archaebacterium inhibits eukaryotic DNA polymerase alpha, beta and retroviral reverse transcriptase and affects methyl methanesulfonate cytotoxicity

A sulfated glycoglycerolipid, 1-O-(6'-sulfo-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-2,3-di-O-phytanyl- sn-glycerol (KN-208), a derivative of the polar lipid isolated from an archaebacterium, strongly inhibited DNA polymerase (pol) alpha and pol beta in vitro among 5 eukaryotic DNA polymerases (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon). It also inhibited Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I Klenow fragment (E. coli pol I) and human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase (HIV RT). The mode of inhibition of these polymerases was competitive with the DNA template primer and was non-competitive with the substrate dTTP. KN-208 inhibited pol beta most strongly, with a Ki value of 0.05 microM, 10-fold lower than that for pol alpha (0.5 microM) and 60- or 140-fold lower than that for HIV RT (3 microM) or for E. coli pol I (7 microM), respectively. The loss of sulfate on the 6'-position of glucopyranoside of this compound completely abrogated inhibition. However, the hydrophilic part of KN-208, glucose 6-sulfate alone, showed no inhibition. Other sulfated compounds containing different hydrophobic structures, such as dodecyl sulfate and cholesterol sulfate, exhibited a much weaker inhibition. Our results suggest that the whole molecular structure of KN-208 is required for inhibition. KN-208 was shown to be modestly cytotoxic for the human leukemic cell line K562. Interestingly, a subcytotoxic dose of KN-208 increased the sensitivity of the human leukemic cells to an alkylating agent, methyl methanesulfonate, while it did not potentiate the effects of ultraviolet light or of cisplatin.

Ischemic Neuronal Apoptosis: A View Based on Free Radical-Induced DNA Damage and Repair

Neurons are different from other cells in that they are postmitotic and not replaced after they are lost. The CNS is thus particularly vulnerable to neuronal cell loss from various causes, including ischemic injury. Recent observations show that apoptosis is a common feature in neurons dying of ischemic injury. Free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemic brain injury. Reperfusion after cerebral ischemia is accompanied by excessive free radical formation. Many of these free radicals are reactive oxygen species and cause oxidative damage to DNA. The base-excision repair pathway is believed to repair oxidative DNA damage in the brain after ischemia-reperfusion. We review recent laboratory findings that provide evidence of free radical-induced DNA damage and repair after ischemic injury. The polymerase responsible for replication during base-excision repair, DNA polymerase-β, lacks proofreading activity and is considered error prone. This may lead to the accumulation of DNA damage and genomic instability, probable causes of accelerated neuronal aging. A number of DNA repair genes, including ataxia teleangiectasia, p53, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, are activated after DNA damage. The pathogenetic roles of these genes in ischemia-induced neuronal apoptosis are under active investigation. NEUROSCIENTIST 4:88-95, 1998

Kainate induces the expression of the DNA damage-inducible gene, GADD45, in the rat brain

The expression of the novel growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible gene GADD45 was examined in kainate-induced epileptic brain damage in the rat using in situ hybridization, northern blot analysis, western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Systemic administration of kainate resulted in DNA damage and neuronal degeneration in vulnerable neurons of limbic regions, including the amygdala and hippocampal pyramidal layers, as shown by in situ DNA nick end-labelling and histological staining. GADD45 messenger RNA was transiently increased in non-vulnerable neurons (2-8 h after kainate injection) but was persistently elevated in vulnerable neurons (up to 24 h after injection) after kainate injection. GADD45 protein was elevated in both vulnerable and non-vulnerable neurons at 4 h, but levels decreased in vulnerable neurons thereafter, suggesting that translational blockage of GADD45 protein occurred in these cells. GADD45 protein was overexpressed in non-vulnerable neurons up to 72 h after kainate injection. Because GADD45 may participate in the DNA excision repair process and because it has been shown to be overexpressed in neurons that survive focal cerebral ischaemia, these results support the hypothesis that GADD45 may have a protective role in the injured brain.

Human recombinant interferon alpha-2a plus 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine. Synergistic growth inhibition with evidence of impaired DNA repair in human colon adenocarcinoma cells

We reported that 3'-azidothymidine-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) plus 5-fluorouracil or methotrexate produces additive cytotoxicity in HCT-8 cells: a reflection of increased AZT metabolism when de novo thymidylate (dTMP) synthesis was inhibited. We now report that AZT plus human recombinant interferon alpha-2a (rIFN-alpha 2a) produces synergistic growth inhibition in these cells. Evaluation of the effect of rIFN-alpha 2a on dTMP metabolism revealed that exposure to rIFN-alpha 2a (+/-AZT) did not affect dTMP synthase activity significantly but increased thymidine (dThd) kinase activity significantly. Consequently, AZT nucleotide production and incorporation into DNA were increased by coexposure to rIFN-alpha 2a. This alone, however, cannot explain the observed synergism. Therefore, the effect of these agents on DNA excision/repair processes was assessed. Isotope clearance studies demonstrated that rIFN-alpha 2a did not alter the rate of [3H]AZT excision from DNA. In contrast, filter-elution studies revealed that rIFN-alpha 2a (+/-AZT) produced more DNA damage and delayed repair compared with the effects produced by AZT alone. Since DNA polymerases alpha and beta are directly involved in gap-filling repair synthesis, experiments next assessed the effect of rIFN-alpha 2a and/or 3'- azido-3'-deoxythymidine-5'-triphosphate (AZTTP) on their activities. Polymerase alpha was inhibited slightly by AZTTP but not by rIFN-alpha 2a. Polymerase beta activity, however, was inhibited dramatically by rIFN-alpha 2a + AZTTP. Finally, western analysis revealed that a 24-hr exposure to 5000 IU/mL rIFN-alpha 2a (+/-20 microM AZT) significantly reduced wild-type p53 expression compared with AZT-exposed cells. We conclude that rIFN-alpha 2a enhances AZT-induced tumor cell growth inhibition by (i) increasing AZT metabolism, and (ii) inhibiting DNA repair and p53-mediated cell cycle control processes.

Activation of the human DNA polymerase beta promoter by a DNA-alkylating agent through induced phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein-1

Treatment of cells with the DNA-alkylating agent N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) induces expression of the endogenous mammalian DNA polymerase beta (beta-pol) gene and of the cloned promoter in transient expression studies. The lone cAMP response element (CRE) in the core promoter, along with functional protein kinase A, is critical for the MNNG-induced up-regulation. Recently, we described a kinetic mechanism for transcriptional regulation of the beta-pol promoter in vitro and found that CRE-binding protein (CREB) from MNNG-treated cells differentially up-regulates the promoter by stimulating formation of closed preinitiation complex (RPc). Here, using a CRE-dependent chimeric beta-pol promoter, we purified the RPc assembled with nuclear extract from MNNG-treated and control HeLa cells. Comparison of proteins in the purified RPc samples revealed that the MNNG induction is associated with a strong increase in the Ser133-phosphorylated form of recombinant CREB (CREB-1). CREB depletion of the nuclear extracts diminished transcriptional activity, and addition of purified Ser133-phosphorylated CREB-1 restored activity, whereas unphosphorylated CREB-1 did not. Addition of phosphorylated CREB-1 to the control cell extract mimicked the MNNG-induced up-regulation of transcriptional activity. These results indicate that phosphorylation of CREB-1 is the probable mechanism of activation of the beta-pol promoter after treatment of cells with the DNA-alkylating agent MNNG.

Potential role of DNA polymerase beta in gene therapy against cancer: a case for colorectal cancer

Genetic instability characterized by the accumulation of mutations of tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes appears to be associated with carcinogenesis in colorectal and other cancers. Mutations of DNA polymerase beta (pol beta) and related chromosomal alterations appear to be consistent with the causal role of a "mutator phenotype' in carcinogenesis. However, homozygous knockout pol beta mutations appear to interfere with embryogenesis. Increased pol beta activity (i.e. relative to pol alpha activity) has been associated with cell cycle arrest. The related aphidicolin-resistant DNA replication has been observed primarily in differentiating cells, including the mammalian blastocyst, adrenal cortex, thyroid, anterior pituitary, and the mechanism of endoreduplication (amitotic over-replication of DNA) can be traced to lower eukaryotes. This increased activity in relation to terminal commitment is inconsistent with a simple "DNA repair' view of pol beta. It is therefore proposed that pol beta may play a more fundamental role in cellular differentiation through involvement in a putative subgenomic DNA replication-based model of terminal gene expression. Thus genetic instability, loss of differentiation, and carcinogenesis may result from aberration(s) or "derailment' of such replication-based mechanism of terminal gene expression. It is suggested to examine the relationship of DNA pol beta to genomic instability and carcinogenesis using genetic analyses and antisense technology with possible applications for gene therapy against colorectal cancer.

Mammalian DNA damage-inducible genes associated with growth arrest and apoptosis

Mammalian cells are exposed to a wide variety of genotoxic stresses from both endogenous and exogenous sources. Cells typically exhibit cell cycle delays, or checkpoints, in response to acute genotoxic stress. Other types of cellular responses to DNA damage include apoptosis and probably increases in DNA repair levels. These response pathways are altered in cancer cells, by genetic alterations such as overexpression or mutation of oncogenes, or loss of tumor suppressor gene functions. As cancer chemotherapy relies primarily on the selective killing of cancer cells by DNA-damaging agents, genetic alterations affecting cellular stress response pathways may affect the outcome of cancer treatment.

Requirement of mammalian DNA polymerase-beta in base-excision repair

Synthesis of DNA by DNA polymerase-beta is distributive on single-stranded DNA templates, but short DNA gaps with a 5' PO4 in the gap are filled processively to completion. In vitro studies have suggested a role of beta-polymerase in different types of DNA repair. However, the significance of these studies to the in vivo role of beta-polymerase has remained unclear. Because genetic studies are essential for determining the physiological role of a gene, we established embryonic fibroblast cell lines homozygous for a deletion mutation in the gene encoding DNA polymerase-beta. Extracts from these cell lines were found to be defective in uracil-initiated base-excision repair. The beta-polymerase-deleted cells are normal in viability and growth characteristics, although they exhibit increased sensitivity to monofunctional DNA-alkylating agents, but not to other DNA-damaging agents. Both the deficiency in base-excision repair and hypersensitivity to DNA-alkylating agents are rescued following stable transfection with a wild-type beta-polymerase minitransgene. These studies demonstrate that beta-polymerase functions specifically in base-excision repair in vivo.

The bovine DNA polymerase beta promoter: cloning, characterization and comparison with the human core promoter

The core promoter of the human DNA polymerase beta (beta Pol)-encoding gene (POL beta) is regulated through cis-elements for the ATF/CREB protein(s), and GC box-binding and initiation-site-binding proteins. The mechanism of promoter regulation has been studied using a nuclear extract transcription system from HeLa cells [Narayan et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269 (1994) 12755-12763]. To study the homologous promoter (ppol beta) in a bovine system, we cloned and characterized the 5'-flanking region of the bovine gene (pol beta). A 15.3-kb fragment of bovine genomic DNA containing the first two exons and 11 kb of 5'-flanking region was isolated from a testis library in bacteriophage lambda EMBL3. S1 nuclease mapping and primer extension analysis of the 5'-end of the pol beta mRNA identified the major transcription start point (tsp), which is located 142-bp 5' of the translational start codon. In transient expression assays using a bovine cell line, analysis of various 5'-deletion mutants demonstrated that a fragment of only 91-bp 5' of the tsp had promoter activity similar to that of a 1.37-kb fragment, so that cis-elements for basal transcription are located within this approx. 100-bp core promoter, as in the human promoter (pPOL beta). Comparison of the core promoters from the bovine and human genes revealed striking similarity, including an almost precise match of the tsp, the ATF/CREB-binding and Sp1-binding sites, and the spacing separating them.

The ras-related small GTP-binding protein RhoB is immediate-early inducible by DNA damaging treatments

The low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins RhoA, RhoB, and RhoC are characterized as specific substrates for the ADP-ribosyltransferase C3 from Clostridium botulinum and are supposed to be involved in the organization of the microfilamental network and transformation. rhoB is known to be immediate-early inducible by growth factors and protein-tyrosine kinases. Since increasing evidence indicates overlapping of growth factor- and UV-induced signal pathways, we studied the effect of UV light and other genotoxic agents on early rhoB transcription. Within 30 min after UV irradiation of NIH3T3 cells, the amount of rhoB mRNA increased 3-4-fold. Elevated rhoB mRNA was accompanied by an increase in RhoB protein, as detected by C3-mediated [32P]ADP-ribosylation. The transcription inhibitor actinomycin D prevented the UV-induced increase in rhoB mRNA and proved rhoB mRNA to be unstable with a half-life of approximately 20 min. Transcriptional activation of rhoB by UV light was confirmed by run-on analysis. The increase in rhoB mRNA after UV irradiation was prevented by inhibitors of protein kinase A (H9) and C (H7, Gö18). The tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein did not affect UV induction of rhoB. In addition to UV, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and the cytostatic drug cisplatin evoked rhoB response. Cycloheximide was likewise effective in increasing the amount of rhoB mRNA, whereas Bt2cAMP, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, and retinoic acid were without effect. Prior down-regulation of signaling by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and serum pretreatment reduced UV-stimulated rhoB expression. The data indicate that rhoB represents a novel DNA damage-inducible function involved in early steps of signal transduction upon genotoxic stress.

Phorbol ester abrogates up-regulation of DNA polymerase beta by DNA-alkylating agents in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Mammalian DNA polymerase beta (beta-pol), a DNA repair polymerase, is known to be constitutively expressed in cultured cells, but treatment of cells with the DNA-alkylating agents MNNG or methyl methanesulfonate has been shown to up-regulate beta-pol mRNA level. To further characterize this response, we prepared a panel of monoclonal antibodies and used one of them to quantify beta-pol in whole cell extracts by immunoblotting. We found that treatment of Chinese hamster ovary cells with either DNA-alkylating agent up-regulated the beta-pol protein level 5-10-fold. This induction appeared to be secondary to DNA alkylation, as induction was not observed with a genetically altered cell line overexpressing the DNA repair enzyme O6-methylguanine-methyltransferase. We also found that 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) treatment of wild type Chinese hamster ovary cells increased expression of beta-pol protein (approximately 10-fold). Any interrelationship between this TPA response and the DNA-alkylation response was studied by treatment with combinations of MNNG and TPA. The beta-pol up-regulation observed with MNNG treatment was abrogated by TPA, and conversely the up-regulation observed with TPA treatment was abrogated by MNNG.

Oxidative stress-regulated gene expression and promotion of morphological transformation induced in C3H/10T1/2 cells by ammonium metavanadate

Promoters of C3H/10T1/2 cell morphological transformation that elevate intracellular oxidant levels can be distinguished by a spectrum of induced gene expression, which includes the oxidant-responsive murine proliferin gene family. Proliferin transcripts were induced 40- to 100-fold by 20 microM ammonium metavanadate, 20-fold by 5 microM vanadium pentoxide but only three-fold by vanadium oxide sulfate. Consistent with its response to other oxidant chemicals, induction of proliferin by ammonium metavanadate was inhibited almost completely by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (8 mM). Ammonium metavanadate (5 microM), added as promoter in two-stage morphological transformation assays, amplified yields of Type II and Type III foci in monolayers of 20-methylcholanthrene-initiated C3H/10T1/2 cells. Ammonium metavanadate also induced formation of Type II foci in single-step transformation assays. The results suggest that pentavalent vanadium compounds could promote morphological transformation in C3H/10T1/2 cells by creating a cellular state of oxidative stress, sufficient to induce elevated expression of the proliferin gene family.

Genetic toxicity of 2-acetylaminofluorene, 2-aminofluorene and some of their metabolites and model metabolites

2-Acetylaminofluorene and 2-aminofluorene are among the most intensively studied of all chemical mutagens and carcinogens. Fundamental research findings concerning the metabolism of 2-acetylaminofluorene to electrophilic derivatives, the interaction of these derivatives with DNA, and the carcinogenic and mutagenic responses that are associated with the resulting DNA damage have formed the foundation upon which much of genetic toxicity testing is based. The parent compounds and their proximate and ultimate mutagenic and carcinogenic derivatives have been evaluated in a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic assays for mutagenesis and DNA damage. The reactive derivatives are active in virtually all systems, while 2-acetylaminofluorene and 2-aminofluorene are active in most systems that provide adequate metabolic activation. Knowledge of the structures of the DNA adducts formed by 2-acetylaminofluorene and 2-aminofluorene, the effects of the adducts on DNA conformation and synthesis, adduct distribution in tissues, cells and DNA, and adduct repair have been used to develop hypotheses to understand the genotoxic and carcinogenic effects of these compounds. Molecular analysis of mutations produced in cell-free, bacterial, in vitro mammalian, and intact animal systems have recently been used to extend these hypotheses.

Molecular biology and the radiation oncologist

An overview is provided of several recent advances in our understanding of the molecular events that occur when cells are exposed to ionizing radiation. A basic knowledge of molecular radiobiology is necessary so that the radiation oncologist can (i) screen cancer patients for an abnormally reduced or exaggerated response to radiotherapy; and (ii) devise novel ways to counter the molecular pathways that sustain malignant progression.

Evidence for nontargeted mutagenesis in a monkey kidney cell line and analysis of its sequence specificity using a shuttle-vector plasmid

Intact pZ189 DNA was allowed to replicate in monkey kidney vero cells that had been pretreated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). The E. coli MBM7070 was transfected with replicated plasmid, and those with mutations in the supF gene were identified. The frequency of mutants that did not contain recognizable changes in the electrophoretic mobility of the plasmid DNA was scored. The frequency of such mutants was 12.2 x 10(-4) (43/35376) and 6.2 x 10(-4) (22/35712) in mutants derived from cells pretreated with 0.2 mumoles/l and 2 mumoles/l MNNG respectively; these values represent an increase of 5.8- and 2.9-fold over the spontaneous mutation frequency of 2.1 x 10(-4) (10/47741) (p < 0.01). Sequence analysis of the supF genes of these mutants showed that 89% (24/27) of base substitutions occurred at G.C base pairs; 59% of the base substitutions (16/27) were transversions, and 41% (11/27) were transitions. The types of base substitutions were predominantly G.C-->T.A and G.C-->A.T. 48% of base substitutions occurred at 6 sites of the supF gene; 4 of these sites consist of 5'-TTNN where N is G or C. Base substitutions never previously reported were found, namely, T-->C at 61, G-->T at 70, G-->T at 99, and G-->C at 103 were found; these have never been reported up to now. In addition, 2 of the 5 frameshifts occurred in the region 99-105 of the supF gene (GGTGGGG), suggesting that this region is a hot spot for nontargeted frameshifts. These results strongly suggest that nontargeted mutagenesis can occur in mammalian cells and shows that the spectrum of mutations induced differs from that of spontaneous and targeted mutations.

Oxygen radical induced mutagenesis is DNA polymerase specific

Oxygen free radicals are produced in large amounts by normal cellular processes. Damage to DNA by these reactive species has been implicated in mutagenesis and may be important in the etiology of a variety of human diseases. In this study we investigate the types of mutations produced in vitro as a result of DNA damage by oxygen free radicals. We used a lacZ alpha forward mutation assay in which M13 viral DNA is damaged in vitro, replicated with purified DNA polymerase alpha or beta, transfected into E. coli, and screened for mutations by reduced alpha-complementation of beta-galactosidase activity. By determining the effects of damaged templates on the fidelity of individual DNA polymerases involved in replication and repair, we address the role of specific DNA polymerases in mutagenesis induced by reactive oxygen species. Aerobic incubation of DNA with 100 microM CuCl, 10 microM H2O2 and 100 microM ascorbic acid results in a 3.3-fold and a 3.6-fold elevation in mutation frequency for polymerases alpha and beta, respectively. The specificity and location of the induced mutations, however, are entirely different. For polymerase alpha, A to C, and C to A transversions and deletions of C are each elevated more than 10-fold over their frequencies on undamaged template. For polymerase beta, A to T, C to T, C to A, G to C, and G to T substitutions, and deletions of G are elevated by damage. The frequency of mutants containing two or more closely spaced substitutions is also markedly increased by template damage although the types of mutations and their positions are again specific to each DNA polymerase. We conclude that, for oxidative lesions, the frequency and the types of mutations are determined in part by the DNA polymerase that encounters the site of damage.

Enhanced repair of a cisplatin-damaged reporter chloramphenicol-O-acetyltransferase gene and altered activities of DNA polymerases alpha and beta, and DNA ligase in cells of a human malignant glioma following in vivo cisplatin therapy

Current evidence suggest an important role for increased repair of drug-induced DNA damage as one of the major mechanisms involved in tumor cell resistance to cis-DDP. In this study, we examined the DNA repair capacity and the activities of three DNA repair related proteins, namely, DNA polymerases alpha and beta, and total DNA ligase in cells of a malignant oligodendroglioma obtained from a patient before therapy and compared it with those of a specimen of the tumor acquired after the patient had failed cis-DDP therapy. DNA repair capacity was quantitated as the extent of reactivation of the chloramphenicol-O-acetyltransferase (CAT) gene in a eukaryotic expression vector that had been damaged and inactivated by prior treatment with cis-DDP and then transfected into the tumor cells. The extent of DNA-platinum adduct formation in the expression vector was determined by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry. The level of cis-DDP resistance of cells of the two tumors was determined with the capillary tumor stem cell assay. We observed a 2.8-fold increased capacity to repair Pt-DNA adducts and reactivate the CAT gene in cells of the tumor obtained after cis-DDP therapy, compared to cells of the untreated tumor. This was associated with increases of 9.4-fold and a 2.3-fold, respectively, in DNA polymerase beta and total DNA ligase activities in cells of the treated tumor. At 5 microM cis-DDP, there was a 5.9-fold increase in the in vitro cis-DDP resistance of post-therapy tumor cells relative to cells of the untreated tumor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Tax protein of human T-lymphotropic virus type I triggers DNA damage

Previous findings indicated that in vitro HTLV-I-infected cells are highly susceptible to spontaneous and chemically induced DNA-damage. To further study the role of different virus gene products in inducing chromosome abnormalities, MOLT-3 cells were transiently transfected with a tax expressing plasmid (pTax), and assayed for genetic damage by the micronucleus test. We found that pTax-transfected cells not only had a statistically higher baseline micronucleus value than non-transfected control cells, but also were more susceptible to Mitomycin C (MMC)-induced DNA damage. Furthermore, the use of human serum containing anti-kinetochore antibodies disclosed that tax enhances the clastogenic effect of MMC. No increase in total micronucleus frequency was observed when MMC treatment preceded pTax transfection, thus suggesting that the micronucleus increase might not be due to the additive effect of tax and MMC. These findings indicate that the viral tax protein could play an important role in inducing the chromosome damage frequently observed in HTLV-I-infected cells.

The US-1 element from the gene encoding rat poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase binds the transcription factor Sp1

By comparing the upstream DNA sequence of the rat and human genes encoding poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), we have defined a 16-bp conserved region and designated it as US-1 for 'upstream sequence 1'. This element is homologous to the recently described binding site for the transcription factor Sp1 in the promoter sequence of the mouse p12 gene which encodes a protease inhibitor. Analyses in gel mobility shift assays revealed that a nuclear protein, produced by all tissue-culture cells tested, specifically binds the US-1 element. The pattern of shifted DNA protein complexes obtained was strikingly similar to that for Sp1, which is supported by the positive displacement of these complexes by an oligomer containing the Sp1 binding site in gel shift competition experiments. Replacement of the Sp1 binding site from the basal promoter of the mouse p12 gene by the rPARP US-1 element did not result in any significant variations in the level of expression of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene upon transient transfection of tissue-culture cells. However, when point mutations are introduced in the US-1 element in a similar substitution experiment, a significant reduction in CAT gene expression could be observed. These data are consistent with Sp1 interacting with the US1 element. Results from DNase I footprinting experiments clearly indicated that purified Sp1 not only binds to the US-1 element but also to four other closely located cis-acting sites scattered in the promoter of the rat PARP gene, therefore suggesting that Sp1 is likely to modulate strongly the expression of that gene in different tissues.

Molecular and biochemical features of poly (ADP-ribose) metabolism

In the past five years, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation has developed greatly with the help of molecular biology and the improvement of biochemical techniques. In this article, we describe the physico-chemical properties of the enzymes responsible for the synthesis and degradation of poly(ADP-ribose), respectively poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase. We then discuss the possible roles of this polymer in DNA repair and replication as well as in cellular differentiation and transformation. Finally, we put forward various hypotheses in order to better define the function of this polymer found only in eucaryotes.

Mechanisms and modulation of resistance to chemotherapy in ovarian cancer

Chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer remains suboptimal. Despite the improvements in objective response rates realized with cisplatin-based combination chemotherapeutic regimens, most patients still die of refractory cancer. Drug resistance has emerged as the single most important determinant of treatment outcome. Laboratory studies have provided substantial insights into the cellular mechanisms of resistance to the commonly used chemotherapeutic agents. Decreased drug accumulation, metabolic drug inactivation, and repair or tolerance to drug-induced cellular injury all contribute to resistance at the cellular level. Identification of these mechanisms has facilitated the development of specific treatment strategies, many of which are in or nearing clinical trials. These strategies include dose intensification, inhibition of P-glycoprotein function, inhibition of cellular glutathione synthesis, and inhibition of cellular DNA repair. The initial results from clinical trials that use these strategies provide reasonable grounds for optimism. In addition, efforts to identify new drugs with activity against resistant cells continue. One such drug, taxol, has significant activity in tumors refractory to conventional therapy. These approaches offer hope that intensive laboratory and clinical efforts ultimately will translate into real improvements in the efficacy of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.

Oxidative stress and heat shock induce a human gene encoding a protein-tyrosine phosphatase

Reactive oxygen species have been implicated both in the ageing process and in degenerative diseases, including arthritis and cancer. Bacteria adapt to the lethal effects of oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide by inducing the expression of protective stress genes. Analogous responses have been identified in human cells. For example, haem oxygenase is a major stress protein in human cells treated with oxidants, and reactive oxygen intermediates activate NF-kappa B, a transcriptional regulator of genes involved in inflammatory and acute-phase responses. We report here the isolation and characterization of a novel complementary DNA (CL100) corresponding to a messenger RNA that is highly inducible by oxidative stress and heat shock in human skin cells. The cDNA contains an open reading frame specifying a protein of M(r) 39.3K with the structural features of a non-receptor-type protein-tyrosine phosphatase and which has significant amino-acid sequence similarity to a Tyr/Ser-protein phosphatase encoded by the late gene H1 of vaccinia virus. The purified protein encoded by the CL100 open reading frame expressed in bacteria has intrinsic phosphatase activity. Given the relationship between the levels of protein-tyrosine phosphorylation, receptor activity, cellular proliferation and cell-cycle control, the induction of this gene may play an important regulatory role in the human cellular response to environmental stress.

Involvement of DNA polymerase beta in proliferation of rat liver induced by lead nitrate or partial hepatectomy

We have studied the expression pattern of DNA polymerase beta in two different models of in vivo cell proliferation. Both mRNA levels and enzyme activity of DNA polymerase beta markedly increased before and/or during DNA synthesis in proliferating hepatocytes in mitogen-treated and partially hepatectomized rats. The time-courses of the expression of the gene coding for DNA polymerase beta were significantly different in the two cell systems. A 5-fold increase in DNA polymerase beta mRNA was observed 8 h after lead nitrate administration, i.e. well before the onset of DNA synthesis. In the regenerative liver cells a 3-fold increase in the amount of mRNA was observed 24-48 h after partial hepatectomy, the event being coincident with extensive DNA synthesis. In both systems, the increase of mRNA levels was always paralleled by an increase in enzyme activity, suggesting that DNA polymerase beta activity may be regulated at a pre-translational level.

Stress response induced by DNA damage leads to specific, delayed and untargeted mutations

Cells of the mouse T-lymphoma line GRSL13 were treated with 8-methoxy-psoralen plus longwave ultraviolet light (PUVA) under conditions where the biological effects are mainly due to non-persistent DNA cross-links (PUVA-CL treatment). Fluctuation analysis showed that PUVA-CL treatment resulted in an enhancement of the mutation rate in the progeny of treated cells, which persisted until the eleventh generation after treatment. Since only 5 cross-links are available to account for 52 mutational events observed in the coding region, about 90% of the induced mutational events must have been untargeted. This was confirmed by molecular analysis of these mutations, which showed that 53% of the point mutations arose at sites which are not a target for psoralens. This supports the hypothesis that stress responses may give rise to untargeted mutagenesis. Further support for this hypothesis is provided by the observation that 8-methoxy-psoralen (8-MOP) or UVA alone (both of which are known to induce many pleiotropic effects) each acted as indirect mutagen by enhancing the mutation rate 2-4 fold in the progeny of treated cells.

Structural analysis of the putative regulatory region of the rat gene encoding poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase

A lambda EMBL3 clone containing the first three exons along with part of the 4th exon of the rat poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase gene was isolated from a genomic DNA library. This clone also contains 6.6 kbp of upstream sequences. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the proximal 5' 670 nucleotides flanking the major RNA start site of the rat gene does not reveal significant global homology with the same region of the human gene, but a series of short sequences are identical. Among these sequences are found two putative Sp1 binding sites along with a decanucleotide sequence responsible for the attachment of the transcription factor AP-2.

Differential susceptibility to carcinogen-induced amplification of SV40 and dhfr sequences in SV40-transformed human keratinocytes

Gene amplification contributes to carcinogenesis by enhancing proto-oncogene activity and causing chromosomal instability. The ease of detecting amplified tumor-virus sequences has encouraged use of this system as a surrogate for studying the molecular events involved in endogenous gene amplification. We report here a new system for studying carcinogen-induced amplification of both endogenous and viral sequences in the SV40-transformed human keratinocyte line AG06. Treatment with carcinogens induced a transient dose-dependent amplification of the integrated SV40 sequences. The amplified sequences appeared in the extrachromosomal fraction. Treatment of these cells with carcinogens prior to methotrexate (MTX) selection increased the frequency of MTX-resistant colonies, 67% of which exhibited dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) amplification. The abilities of five carcinogens with different DNA-damaging activities (the DNA-damaging agents N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, mitomycin C (MMC), ultraviolet light C, and X-rays and the non-DNA-damaging agent arsenite) to induce SV40 and dhfr amplification at concentrations that result in 50% clonal survival were compared. All four DNA-damaging carcinogens (as well as growth arrest) were able to elicit some SV40 amplification, but responses varied markedly, from 1.8-fold for X-rays to sevenfold to eightfold for MMC. There was no correlation between the ability to elicit the two amplification responses. Arsenite, which did not induce SV40 amplification, was the best inducer of MTX resistance. These results point to different controls involved in the induction of viral and dhfr amplification. The signal for amplification of viral genes may be triggered by DNA damage and growth arrest, whereas amplification of dhfr, and perhaps other endogenous sequences, seems to be triggered by other signals as well.

Induction of DNA polymerase beta during proliferation of mitogen-stimulated human lymphocytes

On induction of proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by phytohemagglutinin treatment, DNA polymerase beta activity increases markedly before and during DNA replication. The increase of enzymatic activity seems to be well correlated with the increase of DNA polymerase beta mRNA, which is induced by enhanced expression of the DNA polymerase beta gene. These data suggest that DNA polymerase beta is involved in DNA repair, which is linked to replicative DNA synthesis, or directly in replicative DNA synthesis in normal proliferating cells.

Mammalian beta-polymerase promoter: large-scale purification and properties of ATF/CREB palindrome binding protein from bovine testes

The mammalian DNA repair enzyme beta-polymerase is encoded by a single-copy gene that is expressed in all tissues and cell lines studied to date. A protein fraction with high binding affinity for an ATF/CREB-like binding element, GTGACGTCAC, at -49 to -40 in the core beta-polymerase promoter has been purified to near-homogeneity from a nuclear extract of bovine testes. The major binding activity, as monitored by gel mobility shift assay, is recovered in 20% yield by a procedure involving oligonucleotide affinity chromatography. The purified protein yields DNase I footprinting and gel shift binding patterns indistinguishable from the activity in crude extracts. The final fraction activates transcription in an in vitro transcription reaction. The native molecular weight of the purified binding activity is about 100-120K as measured by gel filtration. SDS-PAGE of the purified fraction revealed that it contains several polypeptides in the molecular weight range of 30-52K, yet two of these peptides (Mr 49K and 52K) are predominant. Specific binding to the palindrome is salt-sensitive and is consistent with the formation of nine ion pairs (from log KA vs log KCl plots) and has a KA at 200 mM KCl of 5.8 X 10(11) M-1. Kinetic studies with synthetic oligonucleotides as binding ligands indicate that the purified protein can bind tighter to or discriminate between the beta-polymerase ATF/CREB element and similar elements derived from somatostatin and chorionic gonadotropin genes.

Antineoplastic drug resistance and DNA repair

Important aspects of the DNA repair mechanisms in mammalian, and especially human, cells are reviewed. The DNA repair processes are essential in the maintenance of the integrity of the DNA and in the defense against cancer. It has recently been discovered that the DNA repair efficiency differs in different regions of the genome and that active genes are preferentially repaired. There is mounting evidence that DNA repair processes play a role in the development of drug resistance by tumor cells. We will discuss such data as well as further approaches to clarify the relationship between DNA repair and antineoplastic drug resistance. Specifically, there is an increasing need to investigate the intragenomic heterogeneity of DNA repair and correlate the repair efficiency in specific genes to aspects of drug resistance. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of inhibiting the DNA repair processes and thereby possibly overcoming drug resistance.

Effect of busulphan treatment and elevated temperature on the expression of the beta-pol gene in rat testis

Changes in the expression pattern of the DNA polymerase beta gene during inhibition of spermatogenesis by busulphan and by temperature (artificial cryptorchidism) have been studied. Transient arrest of spermatogenesis in two-month-old rats after injection of a single dose of busulphan (10 mg/kg) resulted in parallel but transient decrease in the 1.4 kb of beta-pol mRNA level to an undetectable value, followed by its reappearance after resumption of spermatogenesis. An artificial cryptorchidism also caused a drastic decrease of beta-pol mRNA level. Both results as well as morphological examination of testis after busulphan injection and artificial cryptorchidism revealed that spermatocytes and spermatids represent the testicular cell fraction containing the elevated amount of beta-pol mRNA. Involvement of DNA polymerase beta in meiotic recombination is discussed.

Keynote address: mechanisms of cellular resistance to cytotoxic drugs and X-irradiation

Lack of response to X-irradiation and cytotoxic chemotherapy is the major cause of treatment failure in patients with cancer. However, "resistance" to these modalities may be considered a normal cellular response. The ability to cure patients with particular tumor types may be related to hypersensitivity to these modalities caused by loss or abnormality of certain normal cellular constituents such as enzymes involved in DNA repair. It is likely that the initial chemo or radiosensitivity of a tumor will broadly reflect the intrinsic resistance of the tissue type from which the tumor arose. There are many cellular biochemical mechanisms responsible for this relative resistance to drugs and radiation. Many of these mechanisms, although present in normal tissues, may be inducible and can result in enhanced resistance to DNA damaging agents. Although certain resistance mechanisms would appear to be specific for drug resistance or for radiation resistance, there are other resistance mechanisms that potentially affect both modalities. In particular, the study of DNA repair genes in mammalian cells may give us greater insight into common mechanisms of resistance to these modalities.

Analysis of various mRNA potentially involved in cisplatin resistance of murine leukemia L1210 cells

Enhanced DNA repair has been identified as a major mechanism of resistance to the anticancer drug cisplatin in murine leukemia L1210 cells. Studies of other cells have implicated the elevation of a variety of RNA transcripts in cisplatin resistance. This study investigated potential changes in transcription of these genes as well as genes involved in DNA repair. No elevation in any of the following transcripts was observed: thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, DNA polymerase alpha, DNA polymerase beta, topoisomerase II, Ha-ras, beta-tubulin, metallothionein and the DNA repair genes ERCC1 and ERCC2. Thymidine kinase was increased no more than 2-fold. None of these RNA were induced by incubation with cisplatin. High levels of cisplatin produced selective decreases in certain RNA. These results demonstrate that the previous observations of elevated RNA can not be universally applied to all cisplatin-resistant cells.

Enhancement of adenovirus transformation of cloned rat embryo fibroblast cells by gamma irradiation

We have analyzed the effect of gamma irradiation on the induction of morphological transformation of cloned rat embryo fibroblast (CREF) cells by the host-range cold-sensitive type 5 adenovirus mutant, H5hr1. Treatment of CREF cells with 1-6 Gy of gamma irradiation immediately prior to viral infection resulted in dose-dependent decrease in cell survival and concomitant increase in viral transformation frequency. Exposure of CREF cells to 1-6 Gy of gamma radiation alone resulted in a similar dose-dependent inhibition in cell survival but without any subsequent morphological transformation. The effect of gamma irradiation on viral transformation was greatest when cells were irradiated directly before viral infection. The reduction in the enhancement of transformation was both dose and time dependent. The ability of gamma irradiation to enhance viral transformation was substantially reduced if CREF cells were treated with inhibitors of RNA (actinomycin D) and protein (cycloheximide) synthesis. Employing a single-cell colony transfer assay and in situ hybridization with a 32P-labeled Ad5 DNA probe, we found that gamma irradiation of CREF cells prior to infection with H5hr1 resulted, 10 and 17 d after infection and replating, in an increase in the percentage of surviving CREF colonies that contain Ad5 DNA. Analysis of viral DNA integration by DNA-filter hybridization (Southern blot analysis) in H5hr1-transformed CREF clones isolated from untreated and gamma-irradiated cultures indicates that gamma irradiation caused increases in both the number of copies of Ad5 E1A DNA sequences integrated into cellular DNA and the number of unique Ad5 E1A DNA integration sites in transformed cells. These results indicate that gamma irradiation enhancement of adenovirus transformation was a consequence of radiation-induced cellular factors with finite life spans that are mediators of enhanced viral transformation. Potentially important components of the radiation enhancement process appear to involve an alteration in both the retention of free Ad5 DNA in surviving cells and an alteration in the profile of viral-DNA integration in gamma-irradiated cells.

Inducible cellular responses to ultraviolet light irradiation and other mediators of DNA damage in mammalian cells

Both naturally occurring and carcinogen-induced tumors display not only point mutations in cellular oncogenes but also more complex changes in cellular oncogenes and other cellular genes. For this and other reasons, it seems likely that DNA damage in mammalian cells can induce alterations in gene expression that may have both short and long term consequences in the target cell. The purpose of this review is to summarize current available information on inducible responses to UV-irradiation and other mediators of DNA damage in mammalian cells, and to provide some working hypotheses. We have divided these responses into three time frames, immediate (0-12 hours), early (12-48) and late (beyond 48 hours). Immediate responses include the action of DNA repair enzymes, some of which are induced as a consequence of DNA damage, and transient inhibition of DNA synthesis. Within the past few years considerable evidence has accumulated that during this immediate period there is increased expression of certain cellular oncogenes, proteases and proteins whose functions remain to be identified. It is of interest that the expression of some of these genes is also induced by certain growth factors, tumor promoters and heat shock. Alterations in gene expression during the subsequent "early" period (12-48 hrs.) have not been studied in detail, but it is during this period that one can detect increased replication of several types of viruses in cells that harbor these viruses. We have examined in detail the induction of asynchronous polyoma DNA replication (APR) in a rat fibroblast cell line carrying integrated copies of this DNA. We have obtained evidence that UV-irradiation of these cells leads to the synthesis of a 40 kd protein, within the first 1-24 hrs after irradiation, that binds to a specific sequence TGACAACA in the regulatory region of polyoma DNA. We suggest that this protein acts together with other proteins to induce APR and that this serves as a useful model for understanding the mechanisms responsible for amplification of cellular genes, a phenomenon often seen in malignant tumors. Finally, we discuss how the events occurring during the immediate and early periods following DNA damage might lead to late effects in the target cell that are stable and contribute to the genotype and phenotype of some of the progeny of these cells that are destined to become tumor cells.

Resistance to alkylating agents and cisplatin: insights from ovarian carcinoma model systems

The curative potential of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is frequently not realized due to platinum and alkylating agent resistance. Mechanisms which may contribute to the resistant phenotype include alterations in drug transport, increased levels of sulfhydryl molecules (and/or related enzymes), and enhanced DNA repair. We have developed several ovarian cancer cell lines resistant to platinum compounds and alkylating agents. Increased levels of glutathione and enhanced DNA repair are major determinants of chemoresistance in these cells. Modulation of these processes with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), aphidicolin, arc-C, etc. partially reverses in vitro resistance. Similar clinical treatment strategies are under investigation.