5-Fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine has effects on mitochondria in CEM T-lymphoblast cells

MicroRNA-351 Regulates Two-Types of Cell Death, Necrosis and Apoptosis, Induced by 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine

Cell-death can be necrosis and apoptosis. We are investigating the mechanisms regulating the cell death that occurs on treatment of mouse cancer cell-line FM3A with antitumor 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FUdR): necrosis occurs for the original clone F28-7, and apoptosis for its variant F28-7-A. Here we report that a microRNA (miR-351) regulates the cell death pattern. The miR-351 is expressed strongly in F28-7-A but only weakly in F28-7. Induction of a higher expression of miR-351 in F28-7 by transfecting an miRNA mimic into F28-7 resulted in a change of the death mode; necrosis to apoptosis. Furthermore, transfection of an miR-351 inhibitor into F28-7-A resulted in the morphology change, apoptosis to necrosis, in this death-by-FUdR. Possible mechanism involving lamin B1 in this miR-351's regulatory action is discussed.

Effects of 5'-fluoro-2-deoxyuridine on mitochondrial biology in Caenorhabditis elegans

5-Fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FUdR) is a DNA synthesis inhibitor commonly used to sterilize Caenorhabditis elegans in order to maintain a synchronized aging population of nematodes, without contamination by their progeny, in lifespan experiments. All somatic cells in the adult nematode are post-mitotic and therefore do not require nuclear DNA synthesis. However, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replicates independently of the cell cycle and thus represents a potential target for FUdR toxicity. Inhibition of mtDNA synthesis can lead to mtDNA depletion, which is linked to a number of diseases in humans. Furthermore, alterations in mitochondrial biology can affect lifespan in C. elegans. We characterized the effects of FUdR exposure on mtDNA and nuclear DNA (nucDNA) copy numbers, DNA damage, steady state ATP levels, nematode size, mitochondrial morphology, and lifespan in the germ line deficient JK1107 glp-1(q244) and PE255 glp-4(bn2) strains. Lifespan was increased very slightly by 25 μM FUdR, but was reduced by 400 μM. Both concentrations reduced mtDNA and nucDNA copy numbers, but did not change their ratio. There was no detectable effect of FUdR on mitochondrial morphology. Although both concentrations of FUdR resulted in smaller sized animals, changes to steady-state ATP levels were either not detected or restricted to the higher dose and/or later timepoints, depending on the method employed and strain tested. Finally, we determined the half-life of mtDNA in somatic cells of adult C. elegans to be between 8 and 13 days; this long half-life very likely explains the small or undetectable impact of FUdR on mitochondrial endpoints in our experiments. We discuss the relative pitfalls associated with using FUdR and germline deficient mutant strains as tools for the experimental elimination of progeny.

Formulations of biodegradable Nanogel carriers with 5'-triphosphates of nucleoside analogs that display a reduced cytotoxicity and enhanced drug activity

Therapies including nucleoside analogs are associated with severe toxic side effects and acquirement of drug resistance. We have previously reported the drug delivery in the form of 5'-triphosphates (NTP) encapsulated in cross-linked cationic networks of polyethylenimine (PEI) and PEG/Pluronic polymers (Nanogels). In this study, Nanogels, containing biodegradable PEI that could easily dissociate in reducing cytosolic environment and form products with minimal toxicity, were synthesized and displayed low cytotoxicity. Toxicity of Nanogels was clearly dependent on the total positive charge of carriers and was 5-6 fold lower for carriers loaded with NTP. Though intracellular ATP level was immediately reduced by ca. 50% following the treatment with Nanogels, it was largely restored 24 h later. Effect of Nanogels on various respiratory components of cells was reversible too, and, therefore, resulted in low immediate cell death. Nanogel alone and formulations with AZT-TP demonstrated a much lower mitochondrial toxicity than AZT. As an example of potential antiviral applications of low-toxic Nanogel carriers, a 5'-triphosphorylated Ribavirin-Nanogel formulation was prepared that demonstrated a 30-fold decrease in effective drug concentration (EC(90)) and, totally, a 10-fold increase in selectivity index compared to the drug alone in MDCK cells infected with influenza A virus.