Effect of pH on the Misincorporation Rate of DNA Polymerase η

The many known eukaryotic DNA polymerases are classified into four families; A, B, X, and Y. Among them, DNA polymerase η, a Y family polymerase, is a low fidelity enzyme that contributes to translesional synthesis and somatic hypermutation. Although a high mutation frequency is observed in immunoglobulin genes, translesional synthesis occurs with a high accuracy. We determined whether the misincorporation rate of DNA polymerase η varies with ambient conditions. It has been reported that DNA polymerase η is unable to exclude water molecules from the active site. This finding suggests that some ions affect hydrogen bond formation at the active site. We focused on the effect of pH and evaluated the misincorporation rate of deoxyguanosine triphosphate (dGTP) opposite template T by DNA polymerase η at various pH levels with a synthetic template-primer. The misincorporation rate of dGTP by DNA polymerase η drastically increased at pH 8.0-9.0 compared with that at pH 6.5-7.5. Kinetic analysis revealed that the Km value for dGTP on the misincorporation opposite template T was markedly affected by pH. However, this drastic change was not seen with the low fidelity DNA polymerase α.

PCNA mono-ubiquitination and activation of translesion DNA polymerases by DNA polymerase {alpha}

Translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) involves PCNA mono-ubiquitination and TLS DNA polymerases (pols). Recent evidence has shown that the mono-ubiquitination is induced not only by DNA damage but also by other factors that induce stalling of the DNA replication fork. We studied the effect of spontaneous DNA replication errors on PCNA mono-ubiquitination and TLS induction. In the pol1L868F strain, which expressed an error-prone pol alpha, PCNA was spontaneously mono-ubiquitinated. Pol alpha L868F had a rate-limiting step at the extension from mismatched primer termini. Electron microscopic observation showed the accumulation of a single-stranded region at the DNA replication fork in yeast cells. For pol alpha errors, pol zeta participated in a generation of +1 frameshifts. Furthermore, in the pol1L868F strain, UV-induced mutations were lower than in the wild-type and a pol delta mutant strain (pol3-5DV), and deletion of the RAD30 gene (pol eta) suppressed this defect. These data suggest that nucleotide misincorporation by pol alpha induces exposure of single-stranded DNA, PCNA mono-ubiquitination and activates TLS pols.

Intracellular small RNA-agarose: preparation and application for the analysis of proteins interacted with small RNA

Recent study suggests that newly found small RNAs, such as microRNA, aptamer RNA and so on, have the important roles on the eukaryotic cell function, and several intracellular small RNAs are identified. However, the exact role of small RNA including the protein factors interacted with them has not been clarified. To search the novel interaction between the intracellular small RNA and specific proteins, we prepared the intracellular small RNA-agarose derived from the egg extract of African claw frog, Xenopus laevis. Using this agarose, several Xenopus proteins those might interact with small RNA were obtained. Among them, four proteins strongly interacted with small RNA were analyzed by mass spectroscopy. Result indicated that they could be heat shock protein 90, heat shock protein 70, and ATP synthase alpha and beta subunits, respectively. In the present paper, the biological utility of intracellular small RNA-agarose is discussed.

Inhibition of DNA polymerase eta by oxetanocin derivatives

DNA polymerase eta is recently found as a responsible gene product of xeroderma pigmentosum variant. Differently from other eukaryotic DNA polymerases, such as alpha, beta or gamma, eta polymerase is categorized in Y family. Specific inhibitors for DNA polymerases are useful tools to study the exact role of enzyme in the living cells, however, the inhibitor for DNA polymerase eta has not been developed. We examined the inhibitory effects of several sugar-modified nucleotide analogs on DNA polymerase eta. The arabinonucleotides (araCTP), dideoxynucleotides (ddTTP) and 3'-modified nucleotides (3'-dCTP and 3'-azidothymidine tri-phosphate) did not show any inhibitory effect on DNA polymerase eta. On the other hand, the oxetanocin derivatives those have the oxetane ring as a sugar moiety, OXT-GTP and OXT-ATP, strongly inhibited this polymerase. These results suggest that DNA polymerase eta has a unique recognition mode against the sugar moiety of nucleotide compared with other eukaryotic nucleotide polymerases.

The pH-dependent mismatch formation by DNA polymerase eta

To clarify the molecular mechanism of mismatch formation by DNA polymerase eta, the pH-dependency of misincorporation of dNTP was studied with the synthetic template-primer. Incorporation of dNTP formed Watson-Crick type base pair, such as the incorporation of dATP opposite template T, was slightly affected by pH between 6.5 to 9.0. On the other hand, the misincorporation rate of dGTP opposite template T by DNA polymerase eta was drastically increased according to the increasing pH. Kinetical analysis revealed that this change might be due to the change of Km value for dGTP rather than that of Vmax value. This suggests that the affinity of dGTP on DNA polymerase eta during the mismatch formation with template T should be affected by pH.

Recognition of oxidized thymine base on the single-stranded DNA by replication protein A

Replication protein A (RAP) is a eukaryotic single-stranded DNA binding protein involved in DNA replication, repair, and recombination. Recent studies indicate that RPA preferentially binds the damaged sites rather than the undamaged sites. Therefore, RPA is thought to be a member ofrepair factories or a sensor of lesion on DNA. To obtain further information of behavior of RPA against the oxidized lesion, we studied the binding affinity of RPA for the single-stranded DNA containing 5-formyluracil, a major lesion of thymine base yielded by the oxidation, using several synthetic oligonucleotides. The affinity of RPA for oligonucleotides was determined by gel shift assay. Results suggest that the surrounding sequence of 5-formyluracil may affect the affinity for RPA, and that the 5-formyluracil on the purine stretch but not the pyrimidine stretch increases the affinity for RPA. Results of affinity labeling experiment of RPA with the oligonucleotides containing 5-formyluracil indicate that RPA1 subunit may directly recognize and bind to the 5-formyluracil on the single-stranded DNA.

Regulation of eukaryotic DNA replication by proliferation associated protein, PA2G4, in vitro

To search a novel factor possibly involved in the regulation of DNA replication for eukaryotic cells, we fractionated the Xenopus egg extract frequently used as a cell free DNA replication system, and obtained a single polypeptide of 50 KDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Data of the amino acid sequence reduced from cloned gene of this protein revealed that this might be a Xenopus homolog of human PA2G4 that was known as a proliferation-associated protein or a cell cycle-regulated protein. Recombinant mouse PA2G4 protein also showed the inhibitory effect on the DNA replication reaction in Xenopus egg extract with the single-stranded DNA template. These results strongly suggest that PA2G4 may have an important role on the regulation of DNA replication in eukaryotic cells.

DNA polymerases as targets of anticancer nucleosides

DNA polymerase is one of the most important target molecules of antitumor agents, especially for antimetabolite nucleosides that include 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (araC) and 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluorocytidine (gemcitabine). There are several subtypes of mammalian DNA polymerases and their localization and function have been clarified. DNA polymerase alpha, delta and epsilon have been implicated to be responsible for DNA replication, whereas DNA polymerase beta, delta and epsilon have been suggested to work in DNA repair. DNA polymerase gamma is encoded in the nucleus but localizes in the mitochondria, and is responsible for the mitochondrial DNA replication. Recently, several antiviral nucleoside analogs were reported to inhibit DNA polymerase gamma after intracellular phosphorylation and cause severe chronic toxicity. 1-(2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-4-thio-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)cytosine (4'-thio-FAC), an antimetabolite similar to araC and gemcitabine, is recently shown by us to be a very promising agent because of its potent antitumor activity by oral administration to mice. We tested for the inhibitory activities of the triphosphates of 4'-thio-FAC and gemcitabine against DNA polymerase alpha, beta and gamma. The triphosphates of 4'-thio-FAC (4'-thio-FACTP) exhibited the potent inhibitory action against DNA polymerase alpha, whereas it showed moderate inhibition against DNA polymerase beta and little inhibition against DNA polymerase gamma. The triphosphate of gemcitabine (dFdCTP) did not show potent inhibition against these three DNA polymerases. Thus, the effect on ribonucleotide reductase was suggested to be more responsible for the antitumor action of gemcitabine. The differences in the mechanisms of action against DNA polymerases between these drugs and other nucleosides were also discussed.

Utilization efficiency of the oxidized purine nucleotide analogs by DNA polymerase eta

To elucidate the behavior of DNA polymerase eta against the oxidized purine nucleotides, we determined the utilization efficiency of 2-hydroxy-dATP and 8-hydroxy-dGTP by the recombinant yeast DNA polymerase eta using the primer extension assay with the synthetic oligonucleotide template-primers, and compared those by DNA polymerase alpha. Results indicate that DNA polymerase eta incorporates 2-hydroxy-dATP opposite template G in addition to template T and 8-hydroxy-dGTP opposite A in addition to C, respectively. Kinetic analysis revealed that the rate of mutation caused by 2-OH-dATP and 8-OH-dGTP with DNA polymerase eta should be much higher than those with DNA polymerase alpha.

Binding activity of replication protein A to UV-damaged single-stranded DNA

To obtain the information for the exact role of replication protein A (RPA) on both eukaryotic DNA replication and repair, the binding preference of RPA purified from Xenopus egg extract against the undamaged and UV-damaged single-stranded DNA was studied by the gel shift assay. Chemically synthesized oligonucleotide containing the pyrimidine(6-4)pyrimidone photoproduct at one site was used as a model of UV-damaged DNA. Results of competition assay and Scatchard plots indicate that RPA preferentially binds to the 6-4 photoproduct oligonucleotide than the undamaged DNA.

Kinetic analysis of nucleotides incorporated opposite oxidized thymine bases on template DNA

Incorporation of nucleotides opposite the oxidized thymine bases on the template by eukaryotic DNA polymerases alpha and gamma was studied using the synthetic oligonucleotides containing 5-formyluracil or 5-hydroxymethyluracil. Primer extension assay revealed that both polymerases could bypass the oxidized thymine lesion, and incorporated dATP and dGTP opposite 5-formyluracil on the template. On the other hand, dATP was an only nucleotide that was incorporated opposite 5-hydroxymethyluracil by both polymerases as far as examined. These results indicate that 5-formyluracil but not 5-hydroxymethyluracil on template DNA may induce the transition mutation of A:T to G:C in eukaryotes.

Binding activity of replication protein A to single-stranded DNA containing oxidized pyrimidine base

To obtain the information for the role of replication protein A (RPA) on the detection of oxidized lesion in the single-stranded DNA, the binding preference of RPA purified from Xenopus egg lysate against the oligonucleotide containing one of three kinds of oxidized thymine residues, 5-formyluracil, 5-hydroxymethyluracil and 5-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)uracil, was studied by the gel shift assay. Results of competition assay indicate that RPA preferentially binds to the oligonucleotide containing these oxidized thymine residues than the undamaged DNA.

A novel platinum compound inhibits telomerase activity in vitro and reduces telomere length in a human hepatoma cell line

Telomerase activity is detectable in most human tumors but not in most normal somatic cells or tissues. Telomerase inhibition has, therefore, been proposed as a novel and potentially selective strategy for antitumor therapy. In the present study, we found that platinum compounds, including cisplatin [cis-diamminedichloro-platinum (II)], strongly inhibited the activity of partially purified rat telomerase. Among the agents tested, 2,3-dibromosuccinato [2-(methylaminomethyl)pyridine]platinum (II) (compound E) exhibited the strongest inhibition, with an median inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 0.8 micro M. The mode of inhibition was noncompetitive with either dNTPs or TS (first) primer, with K(i) values estimated to be 2.3 or 3.9 micro M for varied TS primer or dNTPs, respectively. Notably, cisplatin also inhibited the telomerase activity, with an IC(50) of 2.0 micro M. Again, the mode of inhibition was noncompetitive, with K(i) values estimated as 7.3 or 8.1 micro M. Preincubation of TS primer with compound E did not affect the telomerase inhibition, whereas preincubation with cisplatin caused remarkable enhancement. Treatment of a human hepatoma cell line HepG2 with a low concentration of compound E gradually reduced the telomere length, indicating that this compound was able to inhibit telomerase in living cells as well as in vitro.

Reactivation of lytic replication from B cells latently infected with Epstein-Barr virus occurs with high S-phase cyclin-dependent kinase activity while inhibiting cellular DNA replication

Productive infection and replication of herpesviruses usually occurs in growth-arrested cells, but there has been no direct evidence in the case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), since an efficient lytic replication system without external stimuli does not exist for the virus. Expression of the EBV lytic-switch transactivator BZLF1 protein in EBV-negative epithelial tumor cell lines, however, is known to arrest the cell cycle in G(0)/G(1) by induction of the tumor suppressor protein p53 and the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors p21(WAF-1/CIP-1) and p27(KIP-1), followed by the accumulation of a hypophosphorylated form of the Rb protein. In order to determine the effect of the onset of lytic viral replication on cellular events in latently EBV-infected B LCLs, a tightly controlled induction system of the EBV lytic-replication program by inducible BZLF1 protein expression was established in B95-8 cells. The induction of lytic replication completely arrested cell cycle progression and cellular DNA replication. Surprisingly, the levels of p53, p21(WAF-1/CIP-1), and p27(KIP-1) were constant before and after induction of the lytic program, indicating that the cell cycle arrest induced by the lytic program is not mediated through p53 and the CDK inhibitors. Furthermore, although cellular DNA replication was blocked, elevation of cyclin E/A expression and accumulation of hyperphosphorylated forms of Rb protein were observed, a post-G(1)/S phase characteristic of cells. Thus, while the EBV lytic program promoted specific cell cycle-associated activities involved in the progression from G(1) to S phase, it inhibited cellular DNA synthesis. Such cellular conditions appear to especially favor viral lytic replication.

Novel phenalenone derivatives from a marine-derived fungus exhibit distinct inhibition spectra against eukaryotic DNA polymerases

A number of compounds used for cancer chemotherapy exert their effects by inhibiting DNA replication. New inhibitors of DNA polymerases, therefore, could be potential candidates for new anti-cancer drugs. This study tested the effects of two phenalenone-skeleton-based compounds, which were isolated from a marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp., sculezonone-B (SCUL-B) and sculezonone-A (SCUL-A), upon DNA polymerase activity. Both compounds inhibited bovine DNA polymerases alpha and gamma, moderately affected the activity of DNA polymerase epsilon, and had almost no effect on HIV-reverse transcriptase and an E. coli DNA polymerase I Klenow fragment. Most notably, whereas SCUL-A inhibited pol beta (IC(50) = 17 microM), SCUL-B has only a weak influence upon this polymerase (IC(50) = 90 microM). Kinetic studies showed that inhibition of both DNA polymerases alpha and beta by either SCUL-A or SCUL-B was competitive with respect to dTTP substrate and noncompetitive with the template-primer. Whereas pol alpha inhibition by SCUL-B is competitive with respect to dATP, the inhibition by SCUL-A was found to be a mixed type with dATP substrate. The K(i) values of SCUL-B were calculated to be 1.8 and 6.8 microM for DNA polymerases alpha and gamma, respectively. The K(i) of DNA polymerase beta for SCUL-A was 12 microM and that for DNA polymerase alpha, 16 microM. Therefore, deletion of the OH-group at C12 enhanced inhibition of DNA polymerase beta. Since computational analyses of these two inhibitors revealed a remarkable difference in the distribution of negative electrostatic charge on the surface of molecules, we infer that different electrostatic charges might elicit different inhibition spectra from these two compounds.

An oxidized nucleotide affects DNA replication through activation of protein kinases in Xenopus egg lysates

To elucidate the response to oxidative stress in eukaryotic cells, the effect of an oxidized nucleotide, 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine 5'-triphosphate (8-oxo-dGTP), generated from dGTP with an active oxygen, on DNA synthesis was studied using a cell-free DNA replication system derived from Xenopus egg lysates with a single-stranded DNA template. Amounts of newly synthesized DNA were reduced according to the increasing concentration of 8-oxo-dGTP. Pulse labeling analysis revealed that 8-oxo-dGTP could delay DNA synthesis by reducing the rate of chain elongation. This delay was recovered by addition of a protein kinase inhibitor, staurosporine or bisindolylmaleimide I. These results indicate that a staurosporine- or bisindolylmaleimide I-sensitive protein kinase, such as a protein kinase C family member, may contribute to the delay of DNA synthesis by 8-oxo-dGTP. UV-irradiated single-stranded DNA also caused a delay of DNA synthesis on the undamaged template in the lysates. However, this delay was not recovered by staurosporine or bisindolylmaleimide I. Therefore, the mechanism of delay of DNA synthesis by 8-oxo-dGTP may be different from that by UV lesions. This is the first report that demonstrates an effect of an oxidized nucleotide on DNA replication in eukaryotes.

Germinal center-associated nuclear protein (GANP) has a phosphorylation-dependent DNA-primase activity that is up-regulated in germinal center regions

Antigen stimulation induces a rapid proliferation of B cells for expansion of specific B cell clones and their further differentiation into antibody-producing cells in germinal centers of T-dependent antigen-immunized mice. Previously, we identified a 210-kDa germinal center-associated nuclear protein (GANP) that is up-regulated selectively in germinal centers and carries an MCM-binding domain in the carboxyl-terminal side. In addition, here, we found a region (from 414 to 550 aa) in GANP molecule that is slightly similar to the known DNA-primase component p49. The recombinant GANP fragment covering this region synthesizes RNA primers for extension by DNA polymerase I with single-stranded DNA templates in vitro. GANP DNA-primase activity is controlled by phosphorylation at Ser(502) that is induced by CD40-mediated signaling in vitro and in the germinal center B cells stimulated with antigen in vivo. Overexpression of ganp cDNA in Daudi B cells caused the increased DNA synthesis more than the levels of the mock-transfectants. These evidences suggested that the novel DNA-primase GANP is involved in regulation of cell proliferation of antigen-driven B cells in germinal centers.

The antitumor mechanism of 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-4-thio-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-cytosine: effects of its triphosphate on mammalian DNA polymerases

The mechanism of action of the antitumor nucleoside analog l‐(2‐deoxy‐2‐fluoro‐4‐thio‐β‐D‐arabinofuranosyl)cytosine (4′‐thio‐FAC) was investigated. 4′‐Thio‐FAC inhibited cellular DNA synthesis, but not RNA and protein syntheses. We observed potent inhibitory action of the triphosphate of 4′‐thio‐FAC (4′‐thio‐FACTP) against DNA polymerase α, whereas it showed moderate inhibition of DNA polymerase P and little inhibition of DNA polymerase β. The kinetic analysis showed that the inhibition mode of 4′‐thio‐FACTP towards DNA polymerase a was mixed type, implying a chain‐terminating effect of 4′‐thio‐FACTP. The triphosphate of 2′‐deoxy‐2′,2′‐difluorocytidine (gemcitabine), a known antitumor nucleoside, did not show potent inhibition of these three DNA polymerases. Thus, the effect of the diphosphate of gemcitabine on ribonucleotide reductase was suggested to be more important for the antitumor action of gemcitabine. From these findings, the main target enzymes of 4′‐thio‐FAC and gemcitabine appear to be different. We found a synergistic effect of the two drugs in an in vitro model, which supports the above idea.

[Anesthetic management of a patient with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy]

A 46-year-old female with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy underwent the replacement of right femur head under continuous epidural anesthesia. Considering that this disease is a neuromuscular disorder, general anesthesia should be avoided. In addition, the patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy tend to show increased concentrations of lactate and pyruvate caused by perioperative stress. Use of lactated Ringer's solution may elevate these concentrations. We managed this patient uneventfully with continuous epidural anesthesia and the use of acetated Ringer's solution during the perioperative period. We consider that continuous epidural anesthesia is useful for a patient with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy.

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.

Serum DNA polymerase beta as an indicator for fatal liver injury of rat induced by D-galactosamine hydrochloride and lipopolysaccharide

DNA polymerase beta (pol beta) is a nuclear enzyme that is tightly bound to chromatin. Release of the pol beta activity into serum, therefore, may indicate the occurrence of massive destruction of cell nuclei in organs or tissues. In the present study, we made a liver injury model rat by the intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine hydrochloride (GalN, 500 mg/kg) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 microg/kg). Serum from the GalN/LPS-treated rats showed a high level of pol beta activity up to 118 pmol/0.5 microl serum (4700 cpm) at 12 h after the treatment, while the control rat serum showed the back ground level (3.8 pmol/0. 5 microl, 150+/-70 cpm). The serum pol beta activity was sensitive to inhibition by 2',3'-dideoxyTTP and by an anti-rat pol beta antibody. Among 30 rats treated with GalN/LPS, 10 rats died within 120 h (dead group). Serum pol beta activity in the dead group was as high as 23.0+/-19.5 pmol/0.5 microl (925+/-778 cpm) at 10 h after the treatment, while in alive group (n=20), it was 3.7+/-3.2 pmol. Levels of the serum pol beta activity correlated well with the prognosis of GalN/LPS-treated rats based on an analysis of the receiver-operator characteristic curves.

Mismatched nucleotides may facilitate expansion of trinucleotide repeats in genetic diseases

We have studied the contribution of mismatch sequences to the trinucleotide repeat expansion that causes hereditary diseases. Using an oligonucleotide duplex, (CAG)5/(CTG)5, as a template-primer, DNA synthesis was carried out using either Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment) or human immunodeficiency virus type I reverse transcriptase (HIV-RT). Both enzymes expanded the repeat sequence longer than 27 nucleotides (nt), beyond the maximum length expected from the template size. The expansion was observed under conditions in which extension occurs either in both strands or in one strand. In contrast, with another template-primer that contains a non-repetitive flanking sequence 5'-upstream of the repetitive sequence, the reaction products were not extended beyond the template size (45 nt) by these DNA polymerases. We then used mismatched template-primers, in which either 1, 2 or 6 non-complementary nucleotides were introduced to the repeat sequence that is flanked by a non-repetitive sequence. In this case, primers were efficiently expanded over the expected length of 45 nt, in a mismatch-dependent manner. One of the primers with six mismatches extended as long as 72 nt. These results imply that the misincorporation of non-complementary deoxyribonucleoside monophosphates (dNMPs) into the repeat sequence makes double-stranded DNA unstable and triggers the slippage and expansion of trinucleotide repeats by forming loops or hairpin structures during DNA synthesis.

Phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein stimulates DNA polymerase alpha

Human retinoblastoma (Rb) protein, immunopurified from an extract of recombinant baculovirus infected cells, stimulated 10-100-fold the activity of DNA polymerase alpha from calf thymus or human HeLa cells. Purified Rb protein is composed of two electrophoretically distinguishable forms, i.e., partially phosphorylated and under-phosphorylated forms. Dephosphorylation of Rb protein by protein phosphatase 2A largely diminished its stimulatory effect. On the other hand, a hyperphosphorylated Rb protein, obtained from insect cells overexpressing Rb protein, cyclin E and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 simultaneously, stimulated DNA polymerase alpha more strongly than the singly-expressed Rb protein. These results indicate that the phosphorylation is crucial for the stimulation. Rb protein isolated from human Burkitt lymphoma Raji cells also stimulated DNA polymerase alpha. In contrast, Rb protein did not affect eukaryotic DNA primase or Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I. By immunoprecipitation using anti-DNA polymerase alpha antibody, Rb protein in nuclear extract of Raji cells was co-precipitated with DNA polymerase alpha. This result indicates that DNA polymerase alpha exists as a complex containing phosphorylated Rb protein in cells. DNA polymerase alpha specifically bound to a purified Rb protein-immobilized Sepharose column. Rb protein also bound to DNA polymerase alpha trapped to anti-DNA polymerase alpha antibody-Sepharose column, suggesting the direct association of these two proteins. These observations suggest a new function of phosphorylated Rb protein in the regulation of DNA replication.

[Hemodynamic effects of amrinone in children during cardiopulmonary bypass and postoperative 12 hours]

Hemodynamic effects of amrinone in children during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and postoperative 12 hours were studied. In 10 patients undergoing open heart surgery, 1 mg/kg of amrinone was infused as the initial CPB dose and 5 - 10 micrograms/kg/min of amrinone was continuously administered as the maintenance dose during CPB and postoperative 12 hours. Amrinone levels ranged from 0.9 to 1.4 micrograms/ml during CPB and postoperative 12 hours. After infusion of amrinone, mean arterial blood pressure decreased significantly, but other parameters did not show remarkable change. The administration of amrinone during CPB showed enough vasodilating effect and decreased the need of conventionally used other vasodilators (nitroglycerin or prostaglandin E1). The postoperative course of 10 patients was clinically uneventful. The administration of amrinone in 10 patients did not produce thrombocytopenia compared with the control group (5 patients) in the postoperative period. In conclusion, the administration of amrinone during CPB and postoperative 12 hours in children was useful in producing enough vasodilating effect without major side effect.

Inhibition of DNA primase by sphingosine and its analogues parallels with their growth suppression of cultured human leukemic cells

Sphingosine is a potent inhibitor of a mammalian DNA primase in vitro (Simbulan et al., Biochemistry 33, 9007-9012, 1994). Here we measured the inhibition of DNA primase in vitro by 9 sphingosine-analogues with respect to RNA primer synthesis and DNA primase-dependent DNA synthesis, and their potencies of inhibition in vitro were compared with their in vivo effects on human leukemic cells. Sphingosine, phytosphingosine and N, N-dimethylsphingosine strongly inhibited the activity of purified calf thymus DNA primase, and also inhibited the growth of human leukemic cell line HL-60, exerting strong cytotoxicity. Dihydrosphingosine and cis-sphingosine, which showed more subtle inhibition of DNA primase in vitro, moderately inhibited the cell growth in vivo and caused cell death. In contrast, N-acyl-, N-octyl-, and N-acetylsphingosine (ceramides) showing little inhibition of DNA primase suppressed cell growth only slightly. HL 60 cell was arrested at Go/G1 phase by exogenously added sphingosine. From these results, it is suggested that DNA primase is one of targets of sphingosine, an effector molecule in apoptosis.

Replication protein-A mediates the association of calf thymus DNA polymerase alpha-DNA primase complex with guanine-rich DNA sequence

We have shown that calf thymus DNA polymerase alpha-DNA primase complex (pol alpha-primase) preferentially binds to pyrimidine-rich sequences and initiates RNA primer synthesis [Suzuki, M. et al. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 12782-12792]. Here we tested the association of pol alpha-primase with a guanine-rich DNA fragment (SVG, 30-mer) containing in vivo initiation sites of simian virus 40 DNA replication. While pyrimidine-rich fragment (CTPPS 1, 30-mer), that is a preferred sequence for calf thymus DNA primase, was well co-precipitated with pol alpha-primase using anti-pol alpha antibody, SVG was hardly precipitated under the same conditions. Competition studies in either gel-retardation assay or during de novo DNA synthesis by pol alpha-primase demonstrated that the interaction of pol alpha-primase with SVG was much weaker than that with CTPPS-1. On the other hand, replication protein-A (RP-A) could bind SVG, although less efficiently than CTPPS 1. After preincubation with RP-A, SVG could bind pol alpha-primase that was immobilized on Sepharose beads. The simian virus 40 large T antigen also enhanced association of SVG to pol alpha-primase, while Escherichia coli single-stranded DNA-binding protein did not. However, pol alpha-primase, bound to SVG in the presence of RP-A, failed to synthesize RNA primers. When SVG was extended 10 nucleotides at its 5'-end, pol alpha-primase synthesized trace amounts of RNA primers, and this activity was stimulated more than 10-fold by adding RP-A. These results suggest a new role for RP-A, i.e., as a molecular tether that allows pol alpha-primase to bind guanine-rich regions of DNA in order to initiate RNA primer synthesis.

Ligation of portal vein branch induces DNA polymerases alpha, delta, and epsilon in nonligated lobes

Ligation of a portal vein branch supplying 70% of the rat liver causes compensatory hypertrophy of the nonligated hepatic lobes with concomitant atrophy of the ligated lobes. To elucidate the mechanism of this response, the induction of the replication enzymes DNA polymerases alpha, delta, epsilon, as well as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), were investigated in nonligated lobes after portal branch ligation. The induction patterns were compared with the well studied liver regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy. DNA polymerases alpha, delta, and epsilon in the liver were extracted with 5 mM KCl (low-salt extract), then with 600 mM KCl (high-salt extract). DNA polymerases alpha, delta, and epsilon in low-salt extract were partially separated on a hydroxyapatite column and quantified. All enzyme activities in the nonligated lobes started to increase within 24 hr and reached maximum levels by 48 hr after portal branch ligation. These patterns were quite similar to those obtained with the remnant liver after partial hepatectomy. In low-salt extract, DNA polymerase delta and epsilon were prominent, while, in high-salt extract, largely DNA polymerases alpha and some activity of epsilon were recovered. PCNA was also induced after both portal branch ligation and partial hepatectomy, reaching maximum levels at 48 hr. From the similar changes in DNA polymerases and PCNA, our data indicate that portal branch ligation induces hepatocyte proliferation in the nonligated lobes in a way similar to partial hepatectomy.

3'-Deoxyribonucleotides inhibit eukaryotic DNA primase

In order to elucidate the biological activities of cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) and related 3'-deoxyribonucleosides on eukaryotic DNA replication, the inhibitory effects of triphosphate derivatives of 3'-deoxyadenosine(3'-dATP), 8-azido-3'-deoxyadenosine(8-N3-3'-dATP), 3'-deoxyguanosine(3'-dGTP), 3'deoxyuridine(3'dUTP), 5-fluoro-3'deoxyuridine(5-F-3'-dUTP), 3'-deoxycytidine(3'-dcTP), and 5-fluoro-3'-deoxycytidine(5-F-3'dCTP) on DNA primase and replicative DNA polymerases alpha, delta, and epsilon purified from cherry salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) testes or calf thymus were examined. All analogs, except 8-N3-3'-dATP, showed strong inhibitory effects on DNA primase, but none of them inhibited DNA polymerases alpha, delta, or epsilon. Kinetic analysis revealed that the inhibition modes of them were competitive with respect to the incorporation of natural substrate that had the corresponding base moiety and non-competitive with respect to other substrates. Based on the kinetic data, we compared the affinities of 3'-dNTPs between DNA primase and RNA polymerases I and II, since 3'-dNTPs also inhibit eukaryotic RNA polymerases. Although the Ki values for DNA primase were much larger than those for RNA polymerases, the Ki/K(m) values, which indicate the affinity of the analog to the enzyme, were very similar.

Synthetic nucleosides and nucleotides. XXXV. Synthesis and biological evaluations of 5-fluoropyrimidine nucleosides and nucleotides of 3-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranose and related compounds

1-O-Acetyl-2,5-di-O-p-chlorobenzoyl-3-deoxy-D-ribofuranose (1), derived from the antibiotic cordycepin was coupled with trimethylsilylated derivatives (2a-c) of N4-propionylcytosine, N4-p-toluoyl-5-fluorocytosine and 5-fluorouracil in the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMS-triflate) to give fully acylated nucleosides (3a-b and 3d, respectively). Selective removal of the N4-propionyl group of 3a by treatment with hydrazine hydrate gave 2',5'-di-O-p-chlorobenzoyl-3'-deoxycytidine (4). Deamination of 4 with sodium nitrite in trifluoroacetic acid afforded 2',5'-di-O-p-chlorobenzoyluridine (3c) in good yield. Compounds 3a-d were saponified to give free 3'-deoxycytidine (5a), 5-fluoro-3'-deoxycytidine (5b), 3'-deoxyuridine (5c), and 5-fluoro-3'-deoxyuridine (5d), respectively. These 3'-deoxyribonucleosides (5a-d) were then converted to corresponding 5'-monophosphate and further phosphorylated to the 5'-triphosphates by the phosphoroimidazolidate method. The nucleosides (5a-d) were examined for growth-inhibitory effects on mouse leukemic L5178Y cells, and their IC50 values (microgram/ml) were 1.8, 33, 6.5, and 18, respectively. On the other hand, the antiviral activities of these compounds on a rhabdovirus, infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), were moderate (IC50 = 100-500 micrograms/ml in CHSE-214 cells). The 5'-triphosphates showed remarkable inhibitory effects on DNA polymerase beta and DNA polymerase alpha-primase purified from testes of the cherry salmon, Oncorhynchus masou, but not on common DNA polymerase alpha from same source.

Selective inhibition of DNA polymerase epsilon by phosphatidylinositol

We studied the effects of various phospholipids on the DNA synthesizing reactions by calf thymus DNA polymerases alpha, delta, and epsilon. Of these three enzymes, DNA polymerase epsilon was most sensitive to acidic phospholipids, i.e., phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate (PIP), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidic acid (PA), and cardiolipin (CAR). Of these acidic phospholipids, PI (from bovine liver) is of special interest because it inhibited DNA polymerase epsilon much strongly than DNA polymerase alpha and delta. The inhibition of DNA polymerase epsilon by PI was competitive with the DNA template-primer and was noncompetitive with dTTP substrate. The Ki value was estimated to be 16 microM. These results indicate that PI from bovine liver can be used as a specific inhibitor for DNA polymerase epsilon to analyze its role in DNA replication. Interestingly, the PI isolated from soybean, which has a different fatty acid composition, inhibited not only DNA polymerase epsilon but also DNA polymerase alpha.

Replication error rates for G.dGTP, T.dGTP, and A.dGTP mispairs and evidence for differential proofreading by leading and lagging strand DNA replication complexes in human cells

We have determined the fidelity of DNA replication by human cell extracts in reactions containing excess dGTP. Replication errors were scored using two M13 DNA substrates having the replication origin on opposite sides of the lacZ alpha-complementation gene. The data suggest that the average rates for replication errors resulting from G(template), T.dGTP, and A.dGTP mispairs are 25 x 10(-6), 12 x 10(-6), and 3 x 10(-6), respectively. The data also suggest that error rates for both the (+) and (-) strands differ by less than 2-fold when they are replicated either as the leading or lagging strand. This is in contrast to the 33- and 8-fold differences observed earlier for G.dTTP and C.dTTP mispairs on the (+) strand when replicated by the leading or lagging strand complex (Roberts, J. D., Izuta, S., Thomas, D. C., and Kunkel, T. A. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 1711-1717). Thus, the relative fidelity of the leading and lagging strand replication proteins varies with the mispair and sequence considered. Misincorporation of dGTP preferentially occurs at template positions where dGTP is the next correct nucleotide to be incorporated. This "next nucleotide" effect is characteristic of reduced exonucleolytic proofreading and suggests that these replication errors are normally proofread efficiently. Fidelity measurements performed in the absence or presence of dGMP, an inhibitor of proofreading exonuclease activity, suggest that the leading strand replication complex proofreads some mispairs more efficiently than does the lagging strand replication complex.

DNA replication fidelity with 8-oxodeoxyguanosine triphosphate

Oxidative metabolism is known to generate mutagenic compounds within cells, among which is 8-oxodeoxyguanosine. Here the mutagenic potential of the triphosphate form of this base analog (8-O-dGTP) is investigated during replication in vitro of the lacZ alpha-complementation sequence in M13mp2 DNA. Adding 8-O-dGTP at equimolar concentration with the normal dNTPs to polymerization reactions decreases the fidelity of DNA synthesis by exonuclease-deficient Klenow, T4, and Thermus thermophilus DNA polymerases. Sequence analysis of mutants suggests that 8-O-dGMP is misincorporated opposite template adenines, yielding A-->C transversions. The degree of polymerase selectivity against this error is enzyme-dependent, with rates varying by > 25-fold. To determine if the A.8-O-dGMP mispair is proofread, a direct comparison of the fidelity of proofreading-proficient and proofreading-deficient Klenow and T4 DNA polymerases was made. Although the exonuclease activity of Klenow polymerase did not substantially reduce overall misincorporation of 8-O-dGMP, misincorporation was lower for the proofreading-proficient T4 enzyme as compared to its proofreading-deficient derivative. These data suggest that the A.8-O-dGMP mispair can be proofread. The mutagenic potential of 8-O-dGTP with eukaryotic systems was also examined. Misincorporation of 8-O-dGTP opposite adenine was observed during SV40 origin-dependent replication of double-stranded DNA in HeLa cell extracts. When present during replication at a concentration equal to the four normal dNTPs, 8-O-dGTP was at least 13-fold more mutagenic for A.T-->C.G transversions than was a 100-fold excess of normal dGTP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

DNA polymerase alpha overcomes an error-prone pause site in the presence of replication protein-A

Eukaryotic DNA polymerase alpha pauses at some sites on the natural DNA template of M13mp2. Terminal misincorporations of dA or dG, in place of dT, by DNA polymerase alpha have been reported to be within one of the pause sites, pause site II (positions 6269 and 6270 (Fry, M., and Loeb, L.A. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 763-767)). The DNA products arrested within pause site II (position 6270) were separated, annealed with synthetic templates, and further elongated by DNA polymerase alpha. It was confirmed that a considerable amount of terminal misincorporation of dG in place of dT occurred at this position. When M13mp2 DNA was coated with various amounts of replication protein-A (RP-A), however, DNA polymerase alpha was able to overcome the pause site II, whereas pause bands at other sites barely decreased. In contrast, Escherichia coli single-stranded DNA-binding protein did not specifically abolish the arrested band at pause site II, though it generally suppressed the reaction. Since RP-A hardly increased the elongation frequency from the primer carrying a 3'-mismatched terminal deoxynucleotide, the reduction of arrested products by RP-A may be attributed to the change in the incorporation mode from noncomplementary to complementary deoxynucleotides within pause site II and may not be due to the reinitiation from the mismatched 3'-terminal deoxynucleotide. To confirm this, we amplified the reaction products at pause site III by means of a polymerase chain reaction method and showed that the complementary strand to pause site II, which was elongated in the presence of RP-A, did not carry any detectable misinsertion. Therefore, the errorprone step of the DNA synthesis catalyzed by DNA polymerase alpha may be readily avoided by RP-A.

Mispair-, site-, and strand-specific error rates during simian virus 40 origin-dependent replication in vitro with excess deoxythymidine triphosphate

We have measured the fidelity of leading and lagging strand DNA replication in HeLa cell extracts. Providing an excess of one dNTP in reactions induces replication errors consistent with misincorporation of that dNTP. With excess dTTP, both substitutions and single-nucleotide frameshifts are induced. Error distribution is nonrandom; reproducible hot spots for a substitution and a frameshift error are observed. Measurements with two vectors having the origin of replication on opposite sides of the mutational target demonstrate that error rates for G.dTTP and C.dTTP mispairs depend on whether the strand is replicated as the leading or lagging strand. Also, the two hot spots are only observed in one origin-target orientation. Replication reactions reconstituted from two fractions derived from extracts are 3-fold less accurate, but the error specificity with excess dTTP is similar to that with extracts. This suggests that the processes responsible for the nonrandom error rates are not lost as a result of fractionation. Furthermore, the reconstituted system is devoid of mismatch repair activity. Thus, mismatch repair is not responsible for the mispair-, site-, and strand-specific differences observed.

RNA priming coupled with DNA synthesis on natural template by calf thymus DNA polymerase alpha-primase

A bovine genomic DNA library was surveyed with respect to the template activity for RNA-primed DNA synthesis by calf thymus DNA polymerase alpha-primase complex. About 7% of the single-stranded DNA clones contained distinct initiation sites consisting of pyrimidine clusters of pyrimidine-rich sequences. The initiation sites were located at or near the 3'-end of the pyrimidine clusters. One of these sequences, containing a 10-mer pyrimidine cluster with major initiation sites, was analyzed in detail. By the successive substitutions of pyrimidines in the cluster with oligodeoxydenylate [(dA)n] in the 5' to 3' direction, the minimum length of the initiation sequence was estimated to be as long as the 7-mer. In contrast, when one or three pyrimidines at the 3'-end of the cluster were replaced with (dA)n, the priming activity was largely lost, indicating that these pyrimidine residues were indispensable for priming. Furthermore, base substitutions of upstream or downstream sequences outside the pyrimidine cluster also decreased the total priming frequencies. Interestingly, the base substitutions inside or outside of the pyrimidine cluster sometimes caused a shift in the major priming sites. These results indicate that the minimum priming unit of the CTPPS1 template for RNA-primed DNA synthesis consists of a pyrimidine cluster (6-mer) with one purine at its 3'-border and that both the 3'-downstream 6-bases and the 5'-upstream 17-bases modulate the priming by enhancing the priming frequency and/or slightly shifting the sites of initiation of primer synthesis. It was also revealed that the lengths of the product RNA primers became shorter as the length of pyrimidine cluster was shortened by substitution with (dA)n. The gel retardation assay further showed that the complex formation between DNA polymerase alpha-primase and the DNA templates was strongly in competition with poly(dC), poly(dG), and poly(dT) but not with poly(dA). Furthermore, template activities as well as the pyrimidine contents of a series of base-substituted DNA correlated well with their affinities to the enzyme, as measured by both gel retardation assay and their Km values for the priming reaction. Apparently, DNA polymerase alpha-primase primarily recognizes the minimum priming unit consisting of a pyrimidine cluster with a purine at the 3'-boundary of purine, but the initiation of primer RNA synthesis can be modified by pyrimidine residues outside of the minimum priming unit.

Deoxypyrimidine cluster mediates the priming by calf thymus DNA primase subunit

Homogeneously purified DNA polymerase alpha subunit-free primase was used to analyze primer RNA synthesis. On a chemically synthesized 36 mer DNA template, a part of upstream region of human c-myc gene, the primer synthesis started from a doublet of deoxythymidine (TT) in the deoxypyrimidine-rich sequence. The primase in DNA polymerase alpha-primase complex synthesized 21-mer reaction product, while DNA polymerase alpha-free primase gave the similar products, 21- and 22-mer, indicating that the site recognition was carried out by primase itself and DNA polymerase alpha subunit has an auxiliary role on it. Product analysis using DNA fragments carrying base substitutions further revealed that the existence of deoxypyrimidine residues around the starting sites was important for priming frequencies. Competition analysis showed that the priming was strongly competed by poly(dC), and to a much lesser extent by poly(dA). Gel-shift analysis showed that the primase could bind to the DNA template, and this complex formation was also competed by poly(dC), but not by poly(dA). These results indicate that primase subunit interacts with the starting site by binding directly with deoxypyrimidine residues.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase stimulates DNA polymerase alpha by physical association

The direct effect of the eukaryotic nuclear DNA-binding protein poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase on the activity of DNA polymerase alpha was investigated. Homogenously purified poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (5 to 10 micrograms/ml) stimulated the activity of immunoaffinity-purified calf or human DNA polymerase alpha by about 6 to 60-fold in a dose-dependent manner. It had no effect on the activities of DNA polymerase beta, DNA polymerase gamma, and primase, indicating that its effect is specific for DNA polymerase alpha. Apparently, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of DNA polymerase alpha was not necessary for the stimulation. The stimulatory activity is due to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase itself since it was immunoprecipitated with a monoclonal antibody directed against poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Kinetic analysis showed that, in the presence of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, the saturation curve for DNA template primer became sigmoidal; at very low concentrations of DNA, it rather inhibited the reaction in competition with template DNA, while, at higher DNA doses, it greatly stimulated the reaction by increasing the Vmax of the reaction. By the automodification of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, however, both the inhibition at low DNA concentration and the stimulation at high DNA doses were largely lost. Furthermore, stimulation by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase could not be attributed to its DNA-binding function alone since its fragment, containing only the DNA-binding domain, could not exert full stimulatory effect on DNA polymerase, as of the intact enzyme. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase is co-immunoprecipitated with DNA polymerase alpha, using anti-DNA polymerase alpha antibody, clearly showing that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase may be physically associated with DNA polymerase alpha. In a crude extract of calf thymus, a part of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity existed in a 400-kDa, as well as, a larger 700-kDa complex containing DNA polymerase alpha, suggesting the existence in vivo of a complex of these two enzymes.

Inhibitory effects of triphosphate derivatives of oxetanocin G and related compounds on eukaryotic and viral DNA polymerases and human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase

In order to clarify the biological activities of (-)-oxetanocin G, and (-)-oxetanocin A and its carbocyclic analogue, (-)-carboxetanocin G, the inhibitory effects of triphosphate derivatives of these compounds (OXT-GTP, OXT-ATP, and C-OXT-GTP) on eukaryotic and viral DNA polymerases were examined. DNA polymerase alpha purified from calf thymus was weakly inhibited by OXT-GTP and OXT-ATP but strongly by C-OXT-GTP, the Ki value being 0.22 microM. On the other hand, rat DNA polymerase beta was not affected by these analogues. DNA polymerase gamma purified from bovine testes was very weakly inhibited by OXT-GTP and OXT-ATP, but not by C-OXT-GTP. DNA polymerase from herpes simplex virus type-II (HSV-II) was strongly inhibited by all three analogues, the Ki values ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 microM. Human immunodeficiency virus-encoded reverse transcriptase (HIV RT) was also strongly inhibited by these three analogues, the Ki value of C-OXT-GTP being slightly smaller than that of OXT-GTP or OXT-ATP. Analysis of products synthesized on singly primed M13 single-stranded DNA by DNA polymerase alpha, HSV-II DNA polymerase or HIV RT in the presence of the analogues revealed that OXT-GTP and C-OXT-GTP were incorporated into DNA and caused chain termination mainly at sites one or two nucleotides beyond the cytosine bases on the template.

The 5'-triphosphates of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine and 2', 3'-dideoxynucleosides inhibit DNA polymerase gamma by different mechanisms

Inhibition mechanisms of 5'-triphosphates of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT-TP) and 3'-deoxythymidine (ddTTP) on extensively purified DNA polymerase gamma from bovine testes were examined by analysis of the products synthesized on singly primed M13 single-stranded DNA or synthetic oligonucleotide template-primer in the presence of analogues. The results indicate that AZT-TP inhibits DNA polymerase gamma in competition with dTTP but is not incorporated into DNA, whereas ddTTP is incorporated into DNA and causes chain termination. In contrast, both analogues were used by reverse transcriptase and caused chain termination.

Glutathione levels and related enzyme activities in vitamin B-6-deficient rats fed a high methionine and low cystine diet

We examined the change in glutathione metabolism in vitamin B-6-deficient rats. Vitamin B-6-deficient rats were fed a vitamin B-6-deficient diet containing 0.56% methionine and 0.075% cystine for 8 wk. Controls were fed an identical diet supplemented with 10 mg pyridoxine hydrochloride/kg diet. Glutathione concentrations in each organ examined were similar in control and vitamin B-6-deficient rats, and the values were comparably lower after intraperitoneal injection of diethylmaleate. However, buthionine sulfoximine caused a significantly greater decrease in glutathione levels in the liver and lungs of vitamin B-6-deficient rats relative to controls. Glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver of vitamin B-6-deficient rats was higher than in control animals; however, glutathione transferase activity in tissues other than liver of vitamin B-6-deficient rats was higher than in the controls. The activities of gamma-glutamyl-transferase in the liver and spleen of vitamin B-6-deficient rats were significantly lower than control values. The holoenzyme activities of cystathionine beta-synthase and cystathionine gamma-lyase in the liver of vitamin B-6-deficient rats were markedly reduced. These findings indicate that although the activities of enzymes that synthesize cysteine from methionine were decreased by vitamin B-6 deficiency, the level of synthesis and supply of cysteine in vitamin B-6-deficient rats were sufficient to maintain the same glutathione level as in controls, and that glutathione utilization in the liver was accelerated by vitamin B-6 deficiency.

Sequence-dependent termination of mammalian DNA polymerase reaction by a new platinum compound, (-)-(R)-2-aminomethylpyrrolidine(1,1-cyclobutane-dicarboxylato)-2-plati num(II) monohydrate)

We examined the mechanism of the inhibition of DNA synthesis by a new platinum compound, (-)-(R)-2-aminomethylpyrrolidine(1,1-cyclobutane-dicarboxylato+ ++)-2-platinum(II) monohydrate (DWA-2114R), a derivative of the antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP), using prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA polymerases. Preincubating activated DNA with CDDP or DWA-2114R reduced its template activity for prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA polymerases in a dose-dependent manner. DWA2114R required six times greater drug concentration and two times longer incubation time to show the same decrease of the template activity compared to CDDP. Treatment of primed pUC118 ssDNA templates with the two drugs followed by second-strand synthesis by prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA polymerases revealed that DWA2114R bound to DNA in a similar manner to CDDP and these adducts blocked DNA elongation by DNA polymerases of eukaryotes as well as of prokaryotes. With these two drugs, the elongations by E. coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment), T7 DNA polymerase and calf thymus DNA polymerase alpha were strongly arrested at guanine-guanine sequences (GG). Stop bands were also observed at adenine-guanine sequences (AG) guanine-adenine-guanine sequences (GAG) and mono-guanine sequence (G). Calf testis DNA polymerase beta was also arrested efficiently at AG, GAG and G, but much more weakly at GG. This pattern was common to DWA2114R and CDDP.

Rapid purification and structural study of DNA topoisomerase I from human Burkitt lymphoma Raji cells

We have developed a rapid purification method for DNA topoisomerase I from Raji cells, a human Burkitt lymphoma cell line, using ammonium sulfate fractionation followed by chromatography on a Mono S column (FPLC, Pharmacia). By this method, the enzyme could be purified to near homogeneity within one day. Electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel revealed that the final preparation is mainly composed of a 100-kDa protein. The major enzyme activity sedimented through a glycerol density gradient at 5.7S, accompanied with a minor peak at 8.7S. The former may correspond to the monomer of the 100-kDa polypeptide, and the latter, to its dimeric form. The gel filtration study of the crude extract revealed an active molecular species of 200 kDa, in addition to 100 kDa, and lower molecular weight forms. These results suggest that DNA topoisomerase I is largely in monomeric form, but also has a minor population of the dimeric form.

1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-(E)-(4-azidostyryl)-uracil 5'-triphosphate: synthesis and utilization as a photoaffinity labeling reagent for DNA polymerase alpha from cherry salmon, Oncorhynchus masou

For developing a photoaffinity labeling reagent for DNA polymerase alpha, we synthesized 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-(4-azidostyryl)-uracil 5'-triphosphate [5-(E)-(4-azidostyryl)-araUTP] bearing a photoreactive aryl azido group. This compound was easily decomposed by photolysis by light above 300 nm. This analogue strongly inhibited DNA polymerase alpha purified from cherry salmon, Oncorhynchus masou, testes; the mode of inhibition was mixed when the enzyme reaction was carried out under room light, and was competitive to dTTP in the dark. From the results of photoaffinity labeling experiments using an analogue containing [gamma-32P], it appeared that this analogue could bind to dTTP binding site of DNA polymerase alpha. Thus, this compound should be very useful for analysis of nucleotide binding sites of this enzyme.