Toxicity of naturally occurring purine deoxyribonucleosides

Ribonucleotide reductase: Implications of thiol S-nitrosylation and tyrosine nitration for different subunits

Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is a multi-subunit enzyme responsible for catalyzing the rate-limiting step in the production of deoxyribonucleotides essential for DNA synthesis and repair. The active RNR complex is composed of multimeric R1 and R2 subunits. The RNR catalysis involves the formation of tyrosyl radicals in R2 subunits and thiyl radicals in R1 subunits. Despite the quaternary structure and cofactor diversity, all the three classes of RNR have a conserved cysteine residue at the active site which is converted into a thiyl radical that initiates the substrate turnover, suggesting that the catalytic mechanism is somewhat similar for all three classes of the RNR enzyme. Increased RNR activity has been associated with malignant transformation, cancer cell growth, and tumorigenesis. Efforts concerning the understanding of RNR inhibition in designing potent RNR inhibitors/drugs as well as developing novel approaches for antibacterial, antiviral treatments, and cancer therapeutics with improved radiosensitization have been made in clinical research. This review highlights the precise and potent roles of NO in RNR inhibition by targeting both the subunits. Under nitrosative stress, the thiols of the R1 subunits have been found to be modified by S-nitrosylation and the tyrosyl radicals of the R2 subunits have been modified by nitration. In view of the recent advances and progresses in the field of nitrosative modifications and its fundamental role in signaling with implications in health and diseases, the present article focuses on the regulations of RNR activity by S-nitrosylation of thiols (R1 subunits) and nitration of tyrosyl residues (R2 subunits) which will further help in designing new drugs and therapies.

Staphylococcus aureus Multiplexes Death-Effector Deoxyribonucleosides to Neutralize Phagocytes

Adenosine synthase A (AdsA) is a key virulence factor of Staphylococcus aureus, a dangerous microbe that causes fatal diseases in humans. Together with staphylococcal nuclease, AdsA generates deoxyadenosine (dAdo) from neutrophil extracellular DNA traps thereby igniting caspase-3-dependent cell death in host immune cells that aim at penetrating infectious foci. Powered by a multi-technological approach, we here illustrate that the enzymatic activity of AdsA in abscess-mimicking microenvironments is not restricted to the biogenesis of dAdo but rather comprises excessive biosynthesis of deoxyguanosine (dGuo), a cytotoxic deoxyribonucleoside generated by S. aureus to eradicate macrophages of human and animal origin. Based on a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knock-out screen, we further demonstrate that dGuo-induced cytotoxicity in phagocytes involves targeting of the mammalian purine salvage pathway-apoptosis axis, a signaling cascade that is concomitantly stimulated by staphylococcal dAdo. Strikingly, synchronous targeting of this route by AdsA-derived dGuo and dAdo boosts macrophage cell death, indicating that S. aureus multiplexes death-effector deoxyribonucleosides to maximize intra-host survival. Overall, these data provide unique insights into the cunning lifestyle of a deadly pathogen and may help to design therapeutic intervention strategies to combat multidrug-resistant staphylococci.

Potent orally bioavailable purine nucleoside phosphorylase inhibitor BCX-4208 induces apoptosis in B- and T-lymphocytes--a novel treatment approach for autoimmune diseases, organ transplantation and hematologic malignancies

The profound suppression of T-cell immunity seen in purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP; EC 2.4.2.1) deficient patients supports potential application of inhibitors of PNP in the therapy of T-cell mediated diseases. BCX-4208 is a novel potent transition state analog inhibitor of human PNP with an IC(50) of 0.5 nM. PNP inhibition leads to elevation of dGuo which is converted to dGTP mainly in lymphocytes causing imbalance in deoxynucleotide (dNTP) pools and cell apoptosis. In in vitro studies, neither BCX-4208 nor dGuo alone inhibits proliferation of lymphocytes. BCX-4208 in the presence of 10 microM deoxyguanosine (dGuo) inhibits lymphocyte proliferation induced by MLR, IL-2 or Con A with IC(50)s of 0.159, 0.26 and 0.73 microM, respectively. The IC(50) for dGuo in the presence of 1 microM BCX-4208 for the IL-2 stimulated lymphocytes was 3.12 microM. dGTP in human lymphocytes is elevated and a 3-5 fold increase in dGTP results in 50% inhibition after in vitro exposure to BCX-4208 and dGuo. Flow cytometric analyses of human lymphocytes using annexin V staining reveal that BCX-4208 in the presence of dGuo induces cellular apoptosis in T-cells (CD3+), B-cells (CD20+, CD19+) and NK (CD56+) cells. BCX-4208 is orally bioavailable in mice and elevates plasma dGuo levels to 3.7 microM (predose levels<0.004 microM), similar to levels seen in PNP-deficient patients and levels needed to cause apoptosis in T and B-cells. These data support the evaluation of BCX-4208 in the treatment of T-cell and B-cell mediated diseases. BCX-4208 is currently undergoing early clinical investigation in psoriasis and gout.

Adenosine and deoxyadenosine induces apoptosis in oestrogen receptor-positive and -negative human breast cancer cells via the intrinsic pathway

In this study we have examined the cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of adenosine (Ado) and deoxyadenosine (dAdo) on human breast cancer cell lines. Ado and dAdo alone had little effect on cell cytotoxicity. However, in the presence of adenosine deaminase (ADA) inhibitor, EHNA, adenosine and deoxyadenosine led to significant growth inhibition of cells of the lines tested. Ado/EHNA and dAdo/EHNA-induced cell death was significantly inhibited by NBTI, an inhibitor of nucleoside transport, and 5'-amino-5'-deoxyadenosine, an inhibitor of adenosine kinase, but the effects were not affected by 8-phenyltheophylline, a broad inhibitor of adenosine receptors. The Ado/EHNA combination brought about morphological changes consistent with apoptosis. Caspase-9 activation was observed in MCF-7 and MDA-MB468 human breast cancer cell lines on treatment with Ado/EHNA or dAdo/EHNA, but, as expected, caspase-3 activation was only observed in MDA-MB468 cells. The results of the study, thus, suggest that extracellular adenosine and deoxyadenosine induce apoptosis in both oestrogen receptor-positive (MCF-7) and also oestrogen receptor-negative (MDA-MB468) human breast cancer cells by its uptake into the cells and conversion to AMP (dAMP) followed by activation of nucleoside kinase, and finally by the activation of the mitochondrial/intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

Deoxy-adenosine-monophosphate (dAMP) di-n-butylester induces apoptosis by increasing the dATP level in HL-60 cells

Deoxy-ATP is a potent inducer of apoptosis. We intended to synthesize a lipophilic dAMP derivative which, according to our working hypothesis penetrates into the cell, is converted to dAMP by intracellular esterases and to dATP by nucleotide kinases. We synthesized dAMP-di-n-butylester (DAB) and tested it. We found that it fulfills the above-described expectations. DAB treatment decreases the viability of HL-60 cells, increases the dATP concentration and induces apoptogenic cytochrome c release from mitochondria with concomitant elevation of caspase-9 activity. Our results indicate that use of dAMP derivatives with masked phosphate may be a feasible approach for pharmacological elevation of intracellular dATP and induction of apoptosis.

The emerging role of adenosine deaminases in insects

Adenosine deaminases catalyze the deamination of adenosine and deoxyadenosine into their respective inosine nucleosides. Recent sequencing of the genomes of several model organisms and human reveal that Metazoa usually have more than one adenosine deaminase gene. A deficiency in the gene encoding the major enzyme is lethal in mouse and Drosophila and leads to severe combined deficiency (SCID) in human. In these organisms, enzyme deficiency causes increased adenosine/deoxyadenosine concentration in body fluids and some organs. Elevated levels of adenosine and deoxyadenosine are toxic to certain mammalian and insect cells, and it was shown for human and mouse that it is a primary cause of pathophysiological effects. Data suggest that the major role of adenosine deaminases in various taxa is the protection of tissues against increased levels of adenosine and deoxyadenosine. This review also discusses potential roles of adenosine deaminases in Drosophila metamorphosis and the employment of a Drosophila model to study the cell-specific toxicity of elevated nucleoside levels.

The role of phosphometabolites in cell proliferation, energy metabolism, and tumor therapy

A common characteristic of tumor cells is the constant overexpression of glycolytic and glutaminolytic enzymes. In tumor cells the hyperactive hexokinase and the partly inactive pyruvate kinase lead to an expansion of all phosphometabolites from glucose 6-phosphate to phosphoenolpyruvate. In addition to the glycolytic phosphometabolites, synthesis of their metabolic derivatives such as P-ribose-PP, NADH, NADPH, UTP, CTP, and UDP-N-acetyl glucosamine is also enhanced during cell proliferation. Another phosphometabolite derived from P-ribose-PP, AMP, inhibits cell proliferation. The accumulation of AMP inhibits both P-ribose-PP-synthetase and the increase in concentration of phosphometabolites derived from P-ribose-PP. In cells with low glycerol 3-phosphate and malate-aspartate shuttle capacities the inhibition of the lactate dehydrogenase by low NADH levels leads to an inhibition of glycolytic ATP production. Several tumor-therapeutic drugs reduce NAD and NADH levels, thereby inhibiting glycolytic energy production. The role of AMP, NADH, and NADPH levels in the success of chemotherapeutic treatment is discussed.

The role of phosphometabolites in cell proliferation, energy metabolism, and tumor therapy

A common characteristic of tumor cells is the constant overexpression of glycolytic and glutaminolytic enzymes. In tumor cells the hyperactive hexokinase and the partly inactive pyruvate kinase lead to an expansion of all phosphometabolites from glucose 6-phosphate to phosphoenolpyruvate. In addition to the glycolytic phosphometabolites, synthesis of their metabolic derivatives such as P-ribose-PP, NADH, NADPH, UTP, CTP, and UDP-N-acetyl glucosamine is also enhanced during cell proliferation. Another phosphometabolite derived from P-ribose-PP, AMP, inhibits cell proliferation. The accumulation of AMP inhibits both P-ribose-PP-synthetase and the increase in concentration of phosphometabolites derived from P-ribose-PP. In cells with low glycerol 3-phosphate and malate-aspartate shuttle capacities the inhibition of the lactate dehydrogenase by low NADH levels leads to an inhibition of glycolytic ATP production. Several tumor-therapeutic drugs reduce NAD and NADH levels, thereby inhibiting glycolytic energy production. The role of AMP, NADH, and NADPH levels in the success of chemotherapeutic treatment is discussed.

Inhibitors of thymine nucleotide biosynthesis: antimetabolites that provoke genetic change via primary non-DNA targets

Folate antagonists and direct-acting inhibitors of thymidylate synthase are potent genotoxic antimetabolites. These agents induce genetic change not by attacking DNA, but by interfering with the control of DNA precursor metabolism. This review surveys the genetic effects attributable to selected representatives of this class of antimetabolites.

Deoxynucleoside induces neuronal apoptosis independent of neurotrophic factors

Postmitotic sympathetic neurons are known to undergo a programmed cell death (apoptosis) when they are deprived of nerve growth factor (NGF) or treated with arabinofuranosyl nucleoside antimetabolites. Here we report the existence of a biochemical mechanism for the induction of neuronal death by an endogenous nucleoside in the presence of NGF. In support of such a mechanism we show that 2-deoxyadenosine (dAdo) induces apoptosis in chick embryonic sympathetic neurons supported in culture by NGF, excess K+, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, or forskolin. Neuronal death was related to a dramatic increase in the dATP content of sympathetic neurons exposed to dAdo (34.96 +/- 5.98 versus 0.75 +/- 0.16 pmol/micrograms protein in untreated controls, n = 9), implicating dATP in the toxicity. Supportive evidence for a central role of dATP was gained by inhibition of kinases necessary for phosphorylation of dAdo. 5'-Iodotubercidin in nanomolar concentrations completely and dose-dependently inhibited formation of dATP and also protected against toxicity of submillimolar concentrations of dAdo in sympathetic neurons. Although some of these actions of dAdo were remarkably similar to those reported for human lymphoid cells, several were uniquely different. For example, [3H]dAdo was not transported into neurons by the nucleoside transporter, and therefore inhibition of the transporter (dilazep, nitrobenzylthioinosine) did not prevent neurotoxicity by dAdo. Precursors of pyrimidine synthesis (2'-deoxycytidine, uridine) or NAD+ synthesis (nicotinamide) were ineffective in protecting sympathetic neurons against dAdo toxicity. Finally, inhibition of adenosine deaminase by deoxycoformycin or erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine did not potentiate the toxic effects of dAdo. Our results provide evidence for the first time that neuronal cells are as susceptible to nucleoside lethality as human lymphocytes are, and provide a new model to study the salvage pathway of deoxyribonucleosides in controlling neuronal populations through programmed cell death.

International Commission for Protection Against Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens. Deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate levels: a critical factor in the maintenance of genetic stability

DNA precursor pool imbalances can elicit a variety of genetic effects and modulate the genotoxicity of certain DNA-damaging agents. These and other observations indicate that the control of DNA precursor concentrations is essential for the maintenance of genetic stability, and suggest that factors which offset this control may contribute to environmental mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. In this article, we review the biochemical and genetic mechanisms responsible for regulating the production and relative amounts of intracellular DNA precursors, describe the many outcomes of perturbations in DNA precursor levels, and discuss implications of such imbalances for sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents, population monitoring, and human diseases.

In vitro effect of extracellular AMP on MCF-7 breast cancer cells: inhibition of glycolysis and cell proliferation

MCF-7 human breast cancer cells propagated in vitro were treated with adenosine derivatives added to the culture medium. The effects on cell proliferation, glycolysis, and glutaminolysis were investigated. Of all adenosine derivatives tested, AMP was the most efficient inhibitor of cell proliferation. In AMP-treated cells, DNA synthesis decreased, whereas RNA and protein syntheses rose normally with time. In terms of carbohydrate metabolism, lactate production from glucose was drastically reduced; therefore, most of lactate produced must have been derived from glutamine. Increases in the enzyme activities involved in glutamate degradation and in the malate-aspartate shuttle were observed. In contrast, actual glycolytic flux rates declined, whereas key glycolytic enzyme activities increased. Metabolites such as fructose 1,6-bisphosphate and pyruvate accumulated in AMP-arrested cells. Based on the lowered NAD level in the AMP-treated cells, lactate dehydrogenase, but not malate dehydrogenase, was impaired; thereby the whole of glycolysis was inhibited. In compensation, glutamine catabolism was increased. NAD concentrations fell drastically because of the known inhibition of P-ribose-PP synthesis through heightened intracellular AMP levels. A hypothetical metabolic scheme to explain these results and to show how extracellular AMP may influence carbohydrate metabolism and cell proliferation is presented.

Purine nucleoside modulation of functions of human lymphocytes

The accumulation of endogenous substrates in patients with adenosine deaminase deficiency or purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency is believed to be responsible for the immunodeficiency observed in these patients. To identify the lymphocyte populations that are most susceptible to these substrates, we investigated the effect of their nucleoside analogs on a number of T and B cell functions of human lymphocytes. We found that tubercidin (Tub), 2-chloro 2'deoxyadenosine (2CldA), 2-fluoro adenine arabinoside-5'phosphate (FaraAMP), and 9-beta-D-arabinosyl guanine (AraGua) inhibited the proliferative responses of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to polyclonal activators (PHA, OKT3 mab) or to allogeneic PBMC in mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC). Addition of recombinant IL-2 from the beginning of the culture did not alter the inhibition by Tub of the proliferative responses of PBMC. These purine nucleoside analogs also inhibited the proliferative responses of purified human peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to PHA and of purified B cells to SAC. The concentrations of these nucleosides required to achieve a given degree of inhibition of proliferative responses of T lymphocyte subpopulations or B cells was similar, suggesting that these analogs do not exhibit any selectivity for these purified lymphocyte populations. Tub and FaraAMP, respectively, inhibited and enhanced, at the effector phase, both NK cytotoxicity and specific T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. In contrast to these findings, LAK cytotoxicity at the effector phase was not significantly inhibited by Tub, and was not enhanced by FaraAMP. Both analogs inhibited rIL-2-induced proliferative responses of PBMC, but did not affect the generation of LAK cytotoxicity (induction phase) against the K562 targets when added at the beginning of the culture. This suggests that DNA synthesis is not required for LAK cell induction. Both Tub and FaraAMP inhibited immunoglobulin production (IgG and IgM) by PBMC in the PWM-induced system. These results demonstrate that purine nucleoside analogs significantly inhibited a number of functions of human lymphocytes. Although selectivity for T lymphocyte subpopulations and B cells was not observed, a differential effect of Tub and FaraAMP on LAK cytotoxicity versus NK cytotoxicity and specific T cell cytotoxicity was found.

Antiproliferative effects of 4',5'-unsaturated adenine nucleosides on leukemia L1210 cells in vitro

Several 4',5'-unsaturated adenine nucleosides were shown to have antiproliferative activity against L1210 leukemia cells in vitro. The active nucleosides were cytotoxic to the L1210 cells as demonstrated by Trypan Blue uptake. The cytotoxicity was not induced by alterations in the ribonucleoside and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate levels of the L1210 cells.

8-azaguanosine-5'-monophosphate synthesis via nucleoside kinase in cultured Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts

Cultured chinese hamster lung fibroblasts, and a variant clone selected for resistance to 8-azaguanine, that lacks hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (EC 2.4.2.8), have been tested for the ability to convert 8-azaguanine into 8-azaguanosine-5'-monophosphate via purine nucleoside phosphorylase and nucleoside kinase. Purine nucleoside phosphorylase of both cell types is able to synthesize 8-azaguanosine from 8-azaguanine with the same efficiency. Wild type cells possess a nucleoside kinase activity acting on 8-azaguanosine, but this activity is considerably lower in the cells displaying resistance to the base analog. Our lines of evidence demonstrate that purine nucleoside phosphorylase and nucleoside kinase constitute a possible way of synthesis of the cytotoxic mononucleotide of 8-azaguanine, and, in fact, cells selected for resistance to the base analog show an impairement in the nucleoside kinase activity.

Mutagenesis and deoxyribonucleotide pool imbalance

Numerous studies have demonstrated that DNA-precursor pool imbalances are mutagenic and can modulate the lethality and mutagenicity of DNA-damaging agents. In addition, physical and chemical mutagens can induce alterations in DNA-precursor levels. Such findings suggest that regulation of intracellular concentrations of DNA precursors may be an important factor in environmental mutagenesis. In this article, results linking mutation and disturbances in DNA-precursor pools are reviewed.

Selective toxicity of deoxyadenosine analogues in human melanoma cell lines

The in vitro toxicities of 19 analogues of deoxyadenosine were tested using a panel of human melanoma cell lines including two lines sensitive to deoxyadenosine and deoxyinosine. The 2-fluoro-, 2-chloro-, 2-bromo- and 2-amino-8-aza derivatives were the most toxic and showed selectivity against deoxyadenosine-sensitive cells. 2-Bromodeoxyadenosine (BrdAdo) and its 5'-phosphate were less potent than the chloro compound but showed the greatest selectivity. In further studies of BrdAdo a third sensitive melanoma line was identified of the eight tested. A treatment time of 24 hr or more was required to develop toxicity to BrAdo; this could be prevented by deoxycytidine or cytidine added to the medium but not by other nucleosides. Flow cytometry showed that BrdAdo blocked cells in the G1 and S phases of the cell cycle. DNA synthesis as judged by thymidine incorporation was rapidly inhibited by BrdAdo to an extent which reflected the sensitivity of the particular cell line; RNA synthesis was less affected. Exposure to BrdAdo for 48 hr induced breaks in the preformed DNA of sensitive but not resistant cells. The results suggest that the toxicity of BrdAdo is associated with prolonged inhibition of DNA synthesis and subsequent DNA fragmentation.

Deoxyadenosine triphosphate as a mediator of deoxyguanosine toxicity in cultured T lymphoblasts

The mechanism by which 2'-deoxyguanosine is toxic for lymphoid cells is relevant both to the severe cellular immune defect of inherited purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) deficiency and to attempts to exploit PNP inhibitors therapeutically. We have studied the cell cycle and biochemical effects of 2'-deoxyguanosine in human lymphoblasts using the PNP inhibitor 8-aminoguanosine. We show that cytostatic 2'-deoxyguanosine concentrations cause G1-phase arrest in PNP-inhibited T lymphoblasts, regardless of their hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase status. This effect is identical to that produced by 2'-deoxyadenosine in adenosine deaminase-inhibited T cells. 2'-Deoxyguanosine elevates both the 2'-deoxyguanosine-5'-triphosphate (dGTP) and 2'-deoxyadenosine-5'-triphosphate (dATP) pools; subsequently pyrimidine deoxyribonucleotide pools are depleted. The time course of these biochemical changes indicates that the onset of G1-phase arrest is related to increase of the dATP rather than the dGTP pool. When dGTP elevation is dissociated from dATP elevation by coincubation with 2'-deoxycytidine, dGTP does not by itself interrupt transit from the G1 to the S phase. It is proposed that dATP can mediate both 2'-deoxyguanosine and 2'-deoxyadenosine toxicity in T lymphoblasts.

Human melanoma cells sensitive to deoxyadenosine and deoxyinosine

In an in vitro study conducted without the use of adenosine/deoxyadenosine deaminase inhibitors, two human melanoma cell lines, MM96L and MM127, were found to be highly sensitive to killing by continuous treatment with deoxyadenosine (dAdo) (D37 47 microM and 68 microM respectively) compared with fibroblasts (D37 440 microM), Hela cells (D37 1.1 mM) and other melanoma cell lines (D37 0.8 to 2.5 mM). Cross-sensitivity was found to deoxyinosine (dIno) and in part to adenosine but not to related metabolites such as inosine or hypoxanthine. Hypersensitivity to dAdo was associated with deficiency in cell membrane 5'-deoxynucleotidase but not in deaminase activity. dAdo toxicity could be prevented in MM96L by addition of the other three deoxynucleosides together but not by removing dAdo after a brief (2 hr) treatment. Resistant melanoma cells, however, required more than 24 hr dAdo treatment to produce toxicity. DNA synthesis in MM96L cells was reversibly inhibited, and cells tended to accumulate in G1/S. No DNA strand breaks were detected. These results showed that in contrast to the resistant cell line, asynchronous MM96L cells are highly sensitivity to brief treatment, toxicity resulting from an effect associated with inhibition of DNA synthesis. dAdo and dIno, either combined with a deaminase inhibitor or as deaminase-resistant derivatives, may have a favourable therapeutic index for some melanomas in vivo.

Metabolic defects in severe combined immunodeficiency in man and animals

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) was originally thought to be one disease. Accumulating evidence indicates that SCID is a heterogeneous group of diseases that are clinically similar but are caused by quite different biochemical abnormalities. The best-studied form of SCID is that associated with an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern of adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency. Several biochemical mechanisms have been postulated to explain how a deficiency of ADA causes immune dysfunction. In forms of SCID not associated with ADA deficiency, other biochemical abnormalities have been detected. These abnormalities include deficiency in biotin-dependent carboxylases, alteration in lymphocyte surface membranes and irregularities in cytokine production. Two animal models for SCID now exist. Neither of these models is associated with ADA deficiency. Evidence for a possible defect in purine metabolism in one model has been demonstrated.

Immunodeficiencies associated with errors in purine metabolism

The genetic deficiencies of adenosine deaminase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase lead to blocks in the purine pathway. The intracellular accumulation of deoxynucleosides and deoxynucleotides is toxic to both dividing and nondividing lymphocytes via multiple mechanisms. T-lymphocytes are uniquely sensitive to purine-mediated cytotoxicity because of a functional imbalance of phosphorylating and dephosphorylating enzymatic activities. These inborn errors or purine metabolism are rare disorders. The study of these conditions, however, has uncovered unique enzymatic properties of lymphocytes and lymphocyte subclasses. A better understanding of the mechanisms of lymphocytotoxicity in these two purine enzyme defects may lead to better modes of therapeutic manipulation of the immune system.

Towards a further understanding of the growth-inhibiting action of oxygen deficiency. Evaluation of the effect of antimycin on proliferating Ehrlich ascites tumour cells

The effect of 1 microM antimycin on the proliferative properties, metabolism and basic cell composition of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells cultured in the second in vitro passage was studied. Continuous drug exposure of asynchronous cells caused rapid cessation of cell growth, characterized by the cell number and DNA, RNA and protein content of cultures. Cells cease to consume oxygen and enhance their glycolytic activity. Uptake of labelled thymidine into acid-insoluble material was far below that of the controls, whereas incorporation of labelled uridine exceeded that of controls, as was also observed with other inhibitors of the respiratory chain (sodium cyanide, 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone, or anaerobiosis). The influence of antimycin on cells at different stages of the cell cycle was tested using cells enriched in either G1, S or G2 phase by centrifugal elutriation. DNA histograms (flow cytometry) and pulse-labelling index curves gave detailed insight into cell-cycle progression of antimycin-treated cells: G1 and early S cells remained stationary; G2 cells still passed from G2 into mitosis to remain subsequently in a non-growing state in G1; S cells were either slowed or halted. Supplementation of antimycin-containing cultures with exogenous pyrimidine nucleosides stimulated reprogression of G1 cells without changing their ATP content. The results of the current experiments are interpreted as supporting the concept that growth cessation of G1 cells under respiratory insufficiency is not predominantly caused by impairment of respiratory phosphorylation but may be the consequence of a lack of precursors for DNA and RNA synthesis.

Morphological changes in leukemic lymphoblasts and normal lymphocytes treated with deoxyadenosine plus deoxycoformycin

It remains unclear how lympholysis occurs in children with an inherited deficiency of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and in leukemic patients undergoing treatment with an inhibitor of ADA, deoxycoformycin. Adenosine deaminase deficiency with subsequent lympholysis can be simulated in vitro by treatment of lymphoid cells with deoxyadenosine plus deoxycoformycin. We found that such in vitro treatment caused fragmentation of the nucleus, disintegration of nuclear chromatin, and the formation of cytoplasmic blebs in T-lymphoblast lines, but not in B-lymphoblast lines. For all but one of the cell lines tested, the extent of morphological changes paralleled the sensitivity to growth inhibition by deoxyadenosine plus deoxycoformycin. Similar morphological changes were observed in normal peripheral blood lymphocytes treated with deoxyadenosine plus deoxycoformycin. These morphological changes were energy-dependent processes. They were preceded by inhibition of DNA synthesis and deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP) accumulation, but followed by depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and cell lysis. These changes may represent an intermediate step between metabolic alterations and lympholysis.

Changes in deoxynucleoside triphosphate pools induced by inhibitors and modulators of ribonucleotide reductase

Changes in dNTP pools have been studied by a number of investigators, in a wide range of cell types. The in vitro pertubations in dNTP pool levels induced, in particular, by deoxynucleosides which act as allosteric modulators, are not totally consistent with current 'in vitro models' of ribonucleotide reductase function. This problem has also been addressed by Henderson et al. (1980) who stress the profusion of such models. Possible explanations, apart from the technical problems of the range of different experimental conditions (e.g. concentration of modulator used, time of incubation, etc.) for the various cell lines include: Modulators presumably have unpredictable 'network' effects by inhibiting or stimulating many other enzymes involved in the de novo and salvage synthesis of purines and pyrimidines. It is possible there are two separate forms of ribonucleotide reductase, one specifically reducing CDP/UDP, the other ADP/GDP. This, in particular, would explain the lack of decrease in dCTP levels after elevation of the dATP pool. There may be variations in ribonucleotide function which in vivo are cell specific, e.g. in thymic-derived compared with non-T-cell types. Peculiarities of T-cells include: Their ability to elevate their dNTP pools on exposure to very low exogenous concentration of deoxynucleoside. This may reflect very low rates of dNTP catabolism. The biological response of T-cells to elevation of the dATP or dGTP pool is reflected by a G1 block compared to an S phase block in cell-cycle progression in non-T-cell lines. The possibility that, in thymic cells, ribonucleotide reduction is restricted to ADP/GDP while pyrimidine dNTPs are synthesized by salvage pathways. As well, possible variation in the pool localization of dNTPs depending on production by either de novo or salvage synthesis could produce dNTP pool changes not clearly in accord with in vitro models. Clearly, the solution to these problems (although not easy) requires systematic comparative study, using cells of various origin (particularly T vs non-T), of dNTP pool responses to deoxynucleoside modulators, with an attempt to explore the factors described above. However, in the detailed pursuit of such an analysis the concept, that these variations in the control of nucleotide metabolism in T and non-T-cell systems may reflect quite significant differences in growth control and cell-cycle progression, should not be lost.

Adenosine inhibits cell division and promotes neurite extension in PC12 cells

Low concentrations (10-50 microM) of adenosine (EC50 = 17 microM) or chloroadenosine (EC50 = 23 microM) prevent the division of PC12 cells. This inhibition is not mimicked by guanosine, inosine, 3',5' dideoxyadenosine, phenylisopropyladenosine, or adenylylimidodiphosphate. The growth inhibition is not relieved by addition of uridine or deoxycytidine, nor is it potentiated by homocysteine thiolactone. Inhibition of adenosine uptake does not inhibit adenosine-dependent growth arrest. PC12 variants that are deficient in adenosine kinase are as sensitive as wild-type cells to the growth-inhibitory effects of adenosine. These experiments suggest that adenosine prevents cell division at an adenosine receptor rather than acting after being metabolically altered. The adenosine receptor that inhibits cell division does not appear to be the adenosine receptor that stimulates adenylate cyclase for these reasons: (1) phenylisopropyladenosine, which is a potent agonist of this receptor, does not inhibit cell division; (2) 3',5' dideoxyadenosine does not antagonize the effect of adenosine on cell division; and (3) theophylline does not affect growth inhibition by adenosine. Thus, these experiments suggest the existence of a second adenosine receptor that can inhibit cell division. Adenosine also promotes the morphological differentiation of PC12 cells. In the presence of the adenosine deaminase inhibitor, erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenosine (EHNA), adenosine causes the formation of short neurites (one-half to one and one-half cell diameters in length). Adenosine also increases the rate of neurite formation of both long and short neurites in response to NGF.

The mechanism of inhibition and "reversal" of mitogen-induced lymphocyte activation in a model of purine-nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency

Purine-nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) is a purine degradative enzyme that catalyzes the phosphorolysis of (deoxy) inosine or (deoxy) guanosine to their respective bases and (deoxy) ribose 1-phosphate. A severe T-cell immune deficiency syndrome with hypouricemia is associated with impaired PNP function. To study the biochemical basis for this syndrome we created an in vitro model of PNP deficiency in mitogen (phytohemagglutinin)-stimulated normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes using guanosine to competitively inhibit deoxyguanosine phosphorolysis. Guanosine-induced guanine toxicity was reversed by adenine. Under these conditions, deoxyguanosine (5-45 microM) diminished mitogen stimulation to 30% of control while increasing the deoxyguanosine triphosphate pool (dGTP) by over 20-fold. Deoxycytidine reversed deoxyguanosine toxicity with a diminution of dGTP accumulation, but no significant change in the deoxycytidine triphosphate pool. Thymidine reversed the deoxyguanosine toxicity, repleted the thymidine triphosphate (dTTP) pool, and caused an even further increase in the accumulation of dGTP. These data support a model of lymphotoxicity in PNP deficiency based on dGTP accumulation with inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase and depletion of the thymidine triphosphate pool. Thymidine triphosphate depletion is reversed by either deoxycytidine or thymidine; however, the former diminishes dGTP accumulation (probably by competition for phosphorylation) and the latter potentiates dGTP accumulation (probably through feedback augmentation of guanosine diphosphate (GDP) reduction by ribonucleotide reductase secondary to an increased dTTP pool).

Deoxynucleoside overproduction in deoxyadenosine-resistant, adenosine deaminase-deficient human histiocytic lymphoma cells

Deoxyadenosine toxicity toward lymphocytes may produce immune dysfunction in patients with adenosine deaminase (adenosine aminohydrolase, EC 3.5.4.4) deficiency. The relationship between endogenous deoxynucleoside synthesis in adenosine deaminase-deficient cells and sensitivity to adenosine and deoxyadenosine toxicity is unclear. The human histiocytic lymphoma cell line (DHL-9) naturally lacks adenosine deaminase, and has minimal levels of thymidine kinase. Dividing DHL-9 cells excrete deoxyadenosine and thymidine into the extracellular space. The present experiments have analyzed nucleoside synthesis and excretion in a mutagenized clone of DHL-9 cells, selected for increased resistance to deoxyadenosine toxicity. The deoxyadenosine-resistant cells excreted both deoxyadenosine and thymidine at a 6-7-fold higher rate than wild-type lymphoma cells. The deoxyadenosine overproduction was accompanied by a reduced ability to form dATP from exogenous deoxyadenosine, and a 2.5-fold increase in ribonucleotide reductase activity. The pace of adenosine excretion, the growth rate, and the levels of multiple other enzymes involved in deoxyadenosine and adenosine metabolism were equivalent in the two cell types. These results suggest that the excretion of deoxyadenosine and thymidine, but not adenosine, is exquisitely sensitive to alterations in the rate of endogenous deoxynucleotide synthesis. Apparently, small changes in deoxynucleotide synthesis can significantly influence cellular sensitivity to deoxyadenosine toxicity.

Synergistic inhibition of human leukemia cell growth by deoxyguanosine and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine

We studied the ability of 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) to influence 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) inhibition of soft agar cloning of the cultured human leukemia cell line K562. Ara-C alone inhibited cloning in concentrations of greater than 10 nM, with a steep drop in colony formation observed between 10 and 100 nM. dGuo and ara-C synergistically inhibited cloning; the combination of ineffective concentrations of dGuo (10-50 microM) and ara-C (less than or equal to nM) inhibited cloning by 40-70%. In K562 cells, dGuo is metabolized by both nucleoside kinase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), resulting in augmentation of both the GTP pool (to more than 200% of control after a 3 hr incubation with 500 microM dGuo) and the dGTP pool (to more than 2700% of control after 3 hr with 500 microM dGuo). dGuo (50-500 microM) caused a decrease in the dCTP and dTTP pools and an increase in the dATP pool. Synergistic concentrations of dGuo plus 10 nM ara-C augmented the ara-CTP pool up to 800% of control after 3 hr to levels equivalent to those observed after incubation with 500 nM ara-C alone. Incorporation of 10 nM ara-CTP into DNA also increased in the presence of dGuo (up to a maximum of 300% of control), but only to a level that approximated the value observed with nM ara-C alone. The disparity between enlargement of the ara-CTP pool and augmentation of ara-C incorporation into DNA is consistent with the observation of Steinberg et al. [Cancer Res. 39, 4330 (1979)] that high concentrations of dGTP may inhibit DNA polymerase activity. Thus, synergy between dGuo and ara-C is multifactorial, possibly involving inhibition of DNA polymerase by elevated dGTP and ara-CTP pools and augmented incorporation of ara-C into DNA.

Metabolism of deoxynucleosides by lymphocytes in long-term culture deficient in different purine enzymes

The metabolism of 8-14C-labelled 2'-deoxyadenosine (dAR) and 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGR) has been investigated using lymphocytes in long-term culture transformed by Epstein-Barr (EB) virus (B-cells) from eight patients with different inherited purine enzyme defects. The use of such lines enabled accurate mapping of the route of metabolism by acting as a 'trap' for the radiolabel at specific points. With either substrate (25 microM) most of the label was recovered in the medium. Using dAR, less than 30% of the radiolabel was incorporated into cellular nucleotides. For dGR, values were less than 18%. Studies with dAR alone confirmed the principal route of metabolism was to hypoxanthine, with further metabolism (by lines with intact salvage pathways) to ATP and GTP in the ratio of approximately 4:1. Lack of accumulation of deoxyinosine in the purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) deficient line, or hypoxanthine in the hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) deficient line, using dAR together with the adenosine deaminase (ADA) inhibitor 2'-deoxycoformycin (dCF) at 10 microM, confirmed the effectiveness of ADA inhibition. Nevertheless, some ATP was still formed by all lines in the presence of dCF by a route as yet unknown. Only the ADA deficient lines formed dATP with dAR alone. However, some dATP was formed by all lines in the presence of dCF. A partially HGPRT deficient line formed extremely high dATP levels, well in excess of those formed by the T-cell line CEM. Studies with dGR revealed some interesting differences, a large proportion of the substrate being metabolized predominantly to xanthine by most enzyme deficient lines. In the PNP deficient line most of the substrate remained unmetabolized, but some dGTP was formed. No other enzyme deficient line formed any dGTP--with or without the PNP inhibitor 8-aminoguanosine (8-NH2GR)--with one exception. Again this was the partially HGPRT deficient line, which with the inhibitor again formed more dGTP than the T-cell line. Within the cells most of the substrate was metabolized to GTP, except in the PNP, and totally HGPRT deficient lines. Levels of GTP formed were not altered by the inhibitor, reflecting the lack of effective PNP inhibition by 8-NH2GR. Some counts were also found in ATP and IMP, confirming the existence of this route in mammalian cells of lymphoid origin. The results also support previous studies by us using cell lines with intact purine pathways, which demonstrated that, contrary to current beliefs, some B-cell lines are capable of accumulating high levels of deoxynucleotides.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Nucleoside kinase activities of Chinese hamster ovary cells

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and appropriate drug-resistant mutants derived from them have been analyzed for nucleoside kinase activities relevant to the phosphorylation of adenosine, deoxyadenosine, deoxyguanosine and deoxycytidine and for resistance to a variety of nucleoside analogs. Fractionation of extracts by DEAE-cellulose chromatography revealed three major peaks of activity. Adenosine kinase (ATP:adenosine 5'-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.20), the first to elute from the column is responsible for the majority of the deoxyadenosine phosphorylation in cell extracts and, according to resistance data, appears to phosphorylate most adenosine analogs tested, including 9-beta-D-arabinosyladenine (ara-A). A deoxyguanosine kinase, the second enzyme to elute from the column, was responsible for the majority of deoxyguanosine and deoxyinosine phosphorylation in cell extracts. The function of this enzyme in cell metabolism is unclear. 2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine, on the other hand, appeared from resistance data to be phosphorylated, at least in part, by deoxycytidine kinase (ATP:deoxycytidine 5'-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.74), which in cell extracts could also phosphorylate deoxyguanosine and deoxyadenosine, though much less efficiently than deoxycytidine.

Effect of purine nucleoside phosphorylase substrates on the mitogen-induced stimulation of murine T and B spleen cells

The effect of culture with exogenous purine nucleoside phosphorylase substrates (especially deoxyguanosine) on the proliferation of mitogen-stimulated murine spleen cells was investigated. Con A-stimulated 3H-thymidine incorporation in unpurified and purified T cells was appreciably inhibited by culture in the presence of 100 microM deoxyguanosine. LPS-stimulated incorporation in unpurified and purified B cells was affected in a similar manner. Culture with guanosine inhibited incorporation in both mitogen-stimulated T and B cells to almost the same extent as deoxyguanosine. Inhibition of 3H-thymidine incorporation in T cells by deoxyguanosine was not modified by concomitant inclusion of deoxycytidine in the culture medium. In addition, deoxyguanosine had effects on T cell proliferative responses during the early phases of stimulation and even prior to stimulation with the mitogen. These results contrast with those reported for human lymphoid cells, where deoxyguanosine was much more potent that guanosine, and where only T cells were affected. They suggest that mechanisms other than the one involving inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase may also be important in the effects of deoxyguanosine on certain lymphoid cells.

Concentration of nucleotides and deoxynucleotides in peripheral and phytohemagglutinin-stimulated mammalian lymphocytes. Effects of adenosine and deoxyadenosine

Concentrations of purine and pyrimidine ribonucleotides were measured with HPLC in lymphocytes of man, horse, pig and sheep and in rat thymocytes. The ATP concentration was highest in lymphocytes of all species and about 850 pmol/10(6) cells in human and equine lymphocytes, higher in porcine and lower in ovine lymphocytes and rat thymocytes. The GTP concentration was comparable in human, equine and porcine lymphocytes, but lower in ovine lymphocytes. ATP concentration was also measured in lymphocytes of man, horse and pig with a luciferin-luciferase assay. During culturing with or without phytohemagglutinin the ATP concentrations decreased in these lymphocytes. The concentrations of TTP and dATP were measured with a DNA polymerase assay. Phytohemagglutinin-stimulation increased the TTP concentration in lymphocytes of all three species, the dATP concentration only in human lymphocytes. ATP, TTP and dATP concentrations and thymidine incorporation were measured in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes after 24 and 48 h culturing in the presence of adenosine or deoxyadenosine. Adenosine increased the ATP concentration in porcine and equine, but not in human lymphocytes. Deoxyadenosine and adenosine did not affect the TTP concentration. Deoxyadenosine decreased the ATP concentration only in the presence of EHNA in human lymphocytes, but increased it in other conditions and in equine and porcine lymphocytes. Deoxyadenosine in the presence of EHNA increased the dATP concentration in human, equine and porcine lymphocytes 3-, 10-, and 9-fold, respectively, and decreased considerably thymidine incorporation. Deoxyadenosine without EHNA increased the dATP concentration 2-5-fold, decreased the thymidine incorporation in lymphocytes of man and horse, but stimulated incorporation in porcine lymphocytes about 5-fold. The latter results indicate that accumulation of dATP is not always associated with inhibition of cell proliferation.

Purine enzymes and immune function

The term immune function is taken to mean the process by which lymphocytes respond to an antigenic challenge. This response involves cell division and differentiation, which depend on purine nucleotides. The present state of knowledge relating events at the cell surface to the necessarily increased rate of purine de novo synthesis, and the modulation of purine nucleotide interconversions through the mediation of putative intracellular messengers, is reviewed. These physiological processes are related, where possible, to some genetic and pharmacologically induced perturbations of the systems involved.

Regulation of ribonucleotide reductase activity in mammalian cells

Mammalian ribonucleotide reductase catalyzes the rate-limiting for the de novo synthesis 2'-deoxyribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates. There is some suggestion that this step may also be the rate-limiting step of DNA synthesis. It is apparent that the level of the enzyme, ribonucleotide reductase, varies through the cell cycle and is highest in those tissues with the greatest proliferation rate. This increase in activity is associated with increased protein synthesis. The purified enzyme has been shown to be subject to strict allosteric regulation by the various nucleoside triphosphates and it has been proposed that allosteric regulation plays an important role in the level of ribonucleotide reductase activity which is expressed. All experimental data relating to this point, however, do not support the role of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates as a major factor in determining cellular reductase activity during normal cell division. Several naturally occurring factors have been isolated from cells which lower ribonucleotide reductase activity in vitro. These factors have been found in tissues of low growth fraction and appear to be absent or low in tissues or high growth fraction such as tumor, regenerating liver and embryonic tissues. The expression of intracellular ribonucleotide reductase activity is therefore controlled at various levels and by various factors and the prevailing mode of regulation may vary throughout the cell cycle transverse and also in the various types of cells.

Renal transport of 2'-deoxytubercidin in mice

Previous results [J. F. Kuttesch, Jr. and J. A. Nelson, Cancer Chemother, Pharmac. 8, 221 (1982)] from this laboratory indicate that mechanisms exist for renal secretion of 2'-deoxyadenosine and possibly for reabsorption of adenosine in humans and in mice. Since significant metabolism of these purine nucleosides occurs even in the presence of adenosine deaminase inhibitors, the renal handling of a compound which is not significantly metabolized by the deaminase or by kinases was studied. Unlike 2'-deoxyadenosine itself, the 2'-deoxyadenosine analog, [4-amino-7-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-pyrrolo-(2,3-d)pyrimidine; 2'-deoxytubercidin], is not significantly metabolized by mammalian tissues. In mice, the renal plasma clearance of 2'-deoxytubercidin exceeded that of inulin by about 3-fold. Also, mouse kidney slices concentratively accumulated 2'-deoxytubercidin by a saturable and metabolically dependent process. The uptake by mouse kidney slices was inhibited by classical substrates for the organic cation secretory system (tetraethylammonium, choline and N1-methylnicotinamide) but was not markedly inhibited by classical substrates for the organic anion secretory system (p-aminohippurate, phenol red and probenecid). Since 2'-deoxytubercidin inhibited the active, concentrative uptake of [14C]tetraethylammonium, but failed to inhibit the uptake of p-[14C]aminohippurate by mouse kidney slices, it is concluded that 2'-deoxytubercidin may be secreted by the organic cation system. Additional studies are required, however, to unequivocally establish the relationships between 2'-deoxytubercidin, 2'-deoxyadenosine and tetraethylammonium renal secretory mechanisms.

Adenosine and deoxyadenosine toxicity in colony assay systems for human T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, and granulocytes

Adenosine and deoxyadenosine toxicity was examined in colony assay systems for human T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and granulocytes. In the absence of deoxycoformycin, an adenosine deaminase inhibitor, no growth inhibition was observed in the three systems with concentrations of adenosine or deoxyadenosine of at least 200 microM. Deoxycoformycin itself had no growth-inhibitory effect at concentrations of at least 10 micrograms/ml. Combinations of deoxycoformycin (1 microgram/ml) and either adenosine or deoxyadenosine gave growth inhibition in all three systems. Deoxyadenosine was the most toxic in all the systems, the LD50 values being 20-25 microM. The LD50 values for adenosine were 45-55 microM. There was no evidence of selective toxicity by adenosine or deoxyadenosine with these three colony assay systems. In the T-lymphocyte colony system deoxyadenosine appeared to be toxic to both the inducer/helper and the suppressor/cytotoxic T-lymphocyte subpopulations.

Deoxyadenosine triphosphate accumulation in erythrocytes of deoxycoformycin-treated mice

The accumulation of deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP) in erythrocytes of mice treated with the adenosine deaminase inhibitor deoxycoformycin was studied in an attempt to establish and evaluate a model system for the study of at least some biochemical aspects of hereditary adenosine deaminase deficiency. Mouse erythrocytes in vitro readily phosphorylated deoxyadenosine to dATP, and this nucleotide was relatively stable once formed. dATP accumulated in vivo in mice treated with deoxycoformycin both as a function of dose from 0.25 to 10 mg/kg, and with time after administration. Major sources of the deoxyadenosine used for dATP formation in vivo appear to be normoblast nuclei produced during erythropoiesis, and dying cells; minor sources would appear to include dietary DNA, overproduction of deoxyribonucleotides, and DNA repair.

Kinetic considerations for the regulation of adenosine and deoxyadenosine metabolism in mouse and human tissues based on a thymocyte model

Metabolic regulation at a branch point may be determined primarily by relative enzyme activities and affinity for common substrate. Adenosine and deoxyadenosine are both phosphorylated and deaminated and their metabolism was studied in intact mouse thymocytes. From kinetic considerations of two activities competing for a common substrate, the deamination:phosphorylation ratio, vd/vk, at high nucleoside concentration, [S] congruent to infinity, is equal to Vd/Vk, or 34 and 1090 for adenosine and deoxyadenosine, respectively. At low substrate concentrations, [S] congruent to o, vd/vk is equal to VdKkm/VkKdm, or 0.7 and 285 for adenosine and deoxyadenosine, respectively. The analysis was extended to other mouse and human tissues by measurement of adenosine kinase, deoxyadenosine kinase and adenosine deaminase activities. All tissues were found to preferentially deaminate deoxyadenosine. Three tissue types were apparent with respect to adenosine metabolism: those which preferentially phosphorylate adenosine at all concentrations, those which switch from phosphorylation to deamination between low and high adenosine concentration and those for which deamination is quantatively important at all concentrations. Lymphoid tissues are representative of the latter category. The kinetic approach we describe offers a means of predicting nucleoside metabolism over a range of concentration which may be technically difficult to otherwise measure. The phosphorylation of adenosine and deoxyadenosine was also studied in intact thymocytes in the presence of adenosine deaminase inhibitors. The rate of deoxyadenosine phosphorylation was unaffected by coformycin or EHNA, whereas adenosine phosphorylation decreased with increasing substrate concentrations to 18% the rate in the absence of adenosine deaminase inhibitors.

GTP depletion and other erythrocyte abnormalities in inherited PNP deficiency

GTP levels were low and NAD+ levels high in purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) deficient erythrocytes, in addition to the raised deoxy-GTP (dGTP) levels previously noted by others. dGTP was also identified in the PNP deficient child's lymphocytes. A further novel finding was the conversion of hypoxanthine to inosine by the PNP deficient red cells, as compared to inosine monophosphate (IMP) in controls. This has been attributed to IMP formation with subsequent breakdown, and raises interesting questions regarding the controls which normally maintain erythrocyte nucleotide pools. These findings may also explain the gross purine overproduction seen in this defect; they may likewise be related to the associated immunodeficiency, anaemia, and other clinical manifestations. The results may also have important implications for the development and clinical use of PNP inhibitors.

Models of the regulation of ribonucleotide reductase and their evaluation in intact mammalian cells

Enzymological studies have shown that ribonucleotide reductase is allosterically inhibited or stimulated by endproduct deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, and various investigators have put forward schematized models of the regulation of this enzyme; the various models have in practice been considered to be equivalent or at least very similar. Here each of eleven published models is critically examined, and it is shown that there are important differences among them that have not previously been appreciated. In addition, studies using intact mammalian cells have generally been taken as being consistent with the enzymological data, but this point has not received much systematic attention. The available data are examined critically, and the implications of multiple, partially different models are considered.

Effects of adenosine and deoxyadenosine on PHA-stimulation of lymphocytes of man, horse and pig

1. Adenosine inhibits thymidine and uridine incorporation of PHA-stimulated lymphocytes of man and horse at concentrations higher than 50 and 10 microM, respectively. Deoxyadenosine is inhibitory at concentrations higher than 100 microM. Thymidine and uridine incorporation of porcine lymphocytes are elevated 5-7-fold by 25-100 microM adenosine, deoxyadenosine, inosine and hypoxanthine. Leucine incorporation of PHA-stimulated lymphocytes was affected by adenosine and deoxyadenosine in the same way, but to a lower extent. 2. Effects of adenosine and deoxyadenosine were more pronounced at shorter cultivation times. 3. EHNA potentiated the effects of adenosine and deoxyadenosine on human and equine lymphocytes. With human lymphocytes inhibition by deoxyadenosine and EHNA was higher than by adenosine and EHNA. With porcine lymphocytes only the combination of deoxyadenosine and EHNA was inhibitory. 4. Homocysteine potentiated the inhibition of thymidine incorporation by the combination of adenosine and deoxyadenosine with equine lymphocytes, but not the inhibition of adenosine or deoxyadenosine alone. 5. Adenosine suppressed the PHA-stimulated elevation of PRPP concentrations. With porcine lymphocytes PRPP remained at the level of 0 hr, while with equine lymphocytes PRPP concentration decreased to below that level. 6. The various effects of adenosine and deoxyadenosine on lymphocytes of man, horse and pig can partially be related to differences in adenosine and deoxyadenosine metabolism.