Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase: Structural and biotechnological aspects

Suicide gene therapy involves introducing viral or bacterial genes into tumor cells, which enables the conversion of a nontoxic prodrug into a toxic-lethal drug. The application of the bacterial cytosine deaminase (bCD)/5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) approach has been beneficial and progressive within the current field of cancer therapy because of the enhanced bystander effect. The basis of this method is the preferential deamination of 5-FC to 5-fluorouracil by cancer cells expressing cytosine deaminase (CD), which strongly inhibits DNA synthesis and RNA function, effectively targeting tumor cells. However, the poor binding affinity of toward 5-FC compared to the natural substrate cytosine and/or inappropriate thermostability limits the clinical applications of this gene therapy approach. Nowadays, many genetic engineering studies have been carried out to solve and improve the activity of this enzyme. In the current review, we intend to discuss the biotechnological aspects of Escherichia coli CD, including its structure, functions, molecular cloning, and protein engineering. We will also explore its relevance in cancer clinical trials. By examining these aspects, we hope to provide a thorough understanding of E. coli CD and its potential applications in cancer therapy.

Assessment of Risks and Benefits of Using Antibiotics Resistance Genes in Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Ex-Vivo Therapy

Recently, ex-vivo gene therapy has emerged as a promising approach to enhance the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by introducing functional genes in vitro. Here, we explored the need of using selection markers to increase the gene delivery efficiency and evaluated the potential risks associated with their use in the manufacturing process. We used MSCs/CD that carry the cytosine deaminase gene (CD) as a therapeutic gene and a puromycin resistance gene (PuroR) as a selection marker. We evaluated the correlation between the therapeutic efficacy and the purity of therapeutic MSCs/CD by examining their anti-cancer effect on co-cultured U87/GFP cells. To simulate in vivo horizontal transfer of the PuroR gene in vivo, we generated a puromycin-resistant E. coli (E. coli/PuroR) by introducing the PuroR gene and assessed its responsiveness to various antibiotics. We found that the anti-cancer effect of MSCs/CD was directly proportional to their purity, suggesting the crucial role of the PuroR gene in eliminating impure unmodified MSCs and enhancing the purity of MSCs/CD during the manufacturing process. Additionally, we found that clinically available antibiotics were effective in inhibiting the growth of hypothetical microorganism, E. coli/PuroR. In summary, our study highlights the potential benefits of using the PuroR gene as a selection marker to enhance the purity and efficacy of therapeutic cells in MSC-based gene therapy. Furthermore, our study suggests that the potential risk of horizontal transfer of antibiotics resistance genes in vivo can be effectively managed by clinically available antibiotics.

Palmitoylethanolamide shows limited efficacy in controlling cerebral cryptococcosis in vivo

Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) is an encapsulated neurotropic fungal pathogen and the causative agent of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CME) in humans. Recommended treatment for CME is Amphotericin B (AmpB) and 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC). Though effective, AmpB has displayed numerous adverse side effects due to its potency and nephrotoxicity, prompting investigation into alternative treatments. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an immunomodulatory compound capable of promoting neuroprotection and reducing inflammation. To investigate the efficacy of PEA as a therapeutic alternative for CME, we intracerebrally infected mice with Cn and treated them with PEA or AmpB alone or in combination. Our results demonstrate that PEA alone does not significantly prolong survival nor reduce fungal burden, but when combined with AmpB, PEA exerts an additive effect and promotes both survivability and fungal clearance. However, we compared this combination to traditional AmpB and 5-FC treatment in a survivability study and observed lower efficacy. Overall, our study revealed that PEA alone is not effective as an antifungal agent in the treatment of CME. Importantly, we describe the therapeutic capability of PEA in the context of Cn infection and show that its immunomodulatory properties may confer limited protection when combined with an effective fungicidal agent.

CpPosNeg: A positive-negative selection strategy allowing multiple cycles of marker-free engineering of the Chlamydomonas plastome

The chloroplast represents an attractive compartment for light-driven biosynthesis of recombinant products, and advanced synthetic biology tools are available for engineering the chloroplast genome ( = plastome) of several algal and plant species. However, producing commercial lines will likely require several plastome manipulations. This presents issues with respect to selectable markers, since there are a limited number available, they can be used only once in a serial engineering strategy, and it is undesirable to retain marker genes for antibiotic resistance in the final transplastome. To address these problems, we have designed a rapid iterative selection system, known as CpPosNeg, for the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that allows creation of marker-free transformants starting from wild-type strains. The system employs a dual marker encoding a fusion protein of E. coli aminoglycoside adenyltransferase (AadA: conferring spectinomycin resistance) and a variant of E. coli cytosine deaminase (CodA: conferring sensitivity to 5-fluorocytosine). Initial selection on spectinomycin allows stable transformants to be established and driven to homoplasmy. Subsequent selection on 5-fluorocytosine results in rapid loss of the dual marker through intramolecular recombination between the 3'UTR of the marker and the 3'UTR of the introduced transgene. We demonstrate the versatility of the CpPosNeg system by serial introduction of reporter genes into the plastome.

Synthesis, characterization, molecular docking, and anticancer activities of new 1,3,4-oxadiazole-5-fluorocytosine hybrid derivatives

Analogs of pyrimidine and 1,3,4-oxadiazole are two well established class of molecules proven as potent antiviral and anticancer agents in the pharmaceutical industry. We envisioned designing new molecules where these two heterocycles were conjugated with the goal of enhancing biological activity. In this vein, we synthesized a series of novel pyrimidine-1,3,4-oxadiazole conjugated hybrid molecules as potential anticancer and antiviral agents. Herein, we present a new design for 5-fluorocytosine-1,3,4-oxadiazole hybrids (5a-h) connected via a methylene bridge. An efficient synthesis of new derivatives was established, and all compounds were fully characterized by NMR and MS. Eight compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against fibrosarcoma (HT-1080), breast (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), lung carcinoma (A-549), and for their antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Among all compounds tested, the compound 5e showed marked growth inhibition against all cell lines tested, particularly in HT-1080, with IC50 values of 19.56 µM. Meanwhile, all tested compounds showed no anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, with EC50 >100 µM. The mechanism of cell death was investigated using Annexin V staining, caspase-3/7 activity, and analysis of cell cycle progression. The compound 5e induced apoptosis by the activation of caspase-3/7 and cell-cycle arrest in HT-1080 and A-549 cells at the G2M phase. The molecular docking suggested that the compound 5e activated caspase-3 via the formation of a stable complex protein-ligand.

Structure of cytosine transport protein CodB provides insight into nucleobase-cation symporter 1 mechanism

CodB is a cytosine transporter from the Nucleobase‐Cation‐Symport‐1 (NCS1) transporter family, a member of the widespread LeuT superfamily. Previous experiments with the nosocomial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa have shown CodB as also important for the uptake of 5‐fluorocytosine, which has been suggested as a novel drug to combat antimicrobial resistance by suppressing virulence. Here we solve the crystal structure of CodB from Proteus vulgaris, at 2.4 Å resolution in complex with cytosine. We show that CodB carries out the sodium‐dependent uptake of cytosine and can bind 5‐fluorocytosine. Comparison of the substrate‐bound structures of CodB and the hydantoin transporter Mhp1, the only other NCS1 family member for which the structure is known, highlight the importance of the hydrogen bonds that the substrates make with the main chain at the breakpoint in the discontinuous helix, TM6. In contrast to other LeuT superfamily members, neither CodB nor Mhp1 makes specific interactions with residues on TM1. Comparison of the structures provides insight into the intricate mechanisms of how these proteins transport substrates across the plasma membrane.

Therapeutic potential of the cytosine deaminase::uracil phosphoribosyl transferase/5-fluorocytosine suicide system for canine melanoma

We tested the efficacy of a yeast cytosine deaminase::uracil phosphoribosyl transferase/5-fluorocytosine (CDU/5-FC) non-viral suicide system on eight established canine melanoma cell lines. Albeit with different degree of sensitivity 5 days after lipofection, this system was significantly efficient killing melanoma cells, being four cell lines highly, two fairly and two not very sensitive to CDU/5-FC (their respective IC50 ranging from 0.20 to 800 μM 5-FC). Considering the relatively low lipofection efficiencies, a very strong bystander effect was verified in the eight cell lines: depending on the cell line, this effect accounted for most of the induced cell death (from 70% to 95%). In our assay conditions, we did not find useful interactions either with the herpes simplex thymidine kinase/ganciclovir suicide system (in sequential or simultaneous modality) or with cisplatin and bleomycin chemotherapeutic drugs. Furthermore, only two cell lines displayed limited useful interactions of the CDU/5-FC either with interferon-β gene transfer or the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib respectively. These results would preclude a wide use of these combinations. However, the fact that all the tested cells were significantly sensitive to the CDU/5-FC system encourages further research as a gene therapy tool for local control of canine melanoma.

Flucytosine-based prodrug activation by cold physical plasma

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to trigger drug release from arylboronate-containing ROS-responsive prodrugs. In cancer cells, elevated levels of ROS can be exploited for the selective activation of prodrugs via Baeyer-Villiger type oxidation rearrangement sequences. Here, we report a proof of concept to demonstrate that these cascades can as well be initiated by cold physical plasma (CPP). An analog of a recently reported fluorouracil prodrug based on the less toxic drug 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) was synthesized with a view to laboratory safety reasons and used as a model compound to prove our hypothesis that CPP is suitable as a trigger for the prodrug activation. Although the envisioned oxidation and rearrangement with successive loss of boronic acid species could be achieved by plasma treatment, the anticipated spontaneous liberation of 5-FC was inefficient in the model case. However, the obtained results suggest that custom-tailored CPP-responsive prodrugs might become an evolving research field.

Unmarked Gene Editing in Clavibacter michiganensis Using CRISPR/Cas9 and 5-Fluorocytosine Counterselection

Plant-pathogenic bacteria in the genus Clavibacter are important quarantine species that cause considerable economic loss worldwide. The development of effective gene editing techniques and additional selectable markers is essential to expedite gene functional analysis in this important Gram-positive genus. The current study details a highly efficient unmarked CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing system in Clavibacter michiganensis, which couples the expression of cas9 and single-guide RNA with homology-directed repair templates and the negative selectable marker codA::upp within a single plasmid. Initial experiments indicated that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated transformation could be utilized for both site-directed mutagenesis, in which an A to G point mutation was introduced at the 128th nucleotide of the C. michiganensis rpsL gene to generate a streptomycin-resistant mutant, and complete gene knockout, in which the deletion of the C. michiganensis celA or katA genes resulted in transformants that lacked cellulase and catalase activity, respectively. In subsequent experiments, the introduction of the codA::upp cassette into the transformation vector facilitated the counterselection of unmarked transformants by incubation in the absence of the selective antibiotic, followed by plating on M9 agar containing 5-fluorocytosine at 100 μg/ml, in which an unmarked katA mutant lacking the transformation vector was recovered. Compared with conventional homologous recombination, the unmarked CRISPR/Cas9-mediated system was more useful and convenient because it allowed the template plasmid to be reused repeatedly to facilitate the editing of multiple genes, which constitutes a major advancement that could revolutionize research into C. michiganensis and other Clavibacter spp.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Molecular Mechanisms of 5-Fluorocytosine Resistance in Yeasts and Filamentous Fungi

Effective management and treatment of fungal diseases is hampered by poor diagnosis, limited options for antifungal therapy, and the emergence of antifungal drug resistance. An understanding of molecular mechanisms contributing to resistance is essential to optimize the efficacy of currently available antifungals. In this perspective, one of the oldest antifungals, 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), has been the focus of recent studies applying advanced genomic and transcriptomic techniques to decipher the order of events at the molecular level that lead to resistance. These studies have highlighted the complexity of resistance and provided new insights that are reviewed in the present paper.

ERK-dependent suicide gene therapy for selective targeting of RTK/RAS-driven cancers

Suicide gene therapies provide a unique ability to target cancer cells selectively, often based on modification of viral tropism or transcriptional regulation of therapeutic gene expression. We designed a novel suicide gene therapy approach wherein the gene product (herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase or yeast cytosine deaminase) is phosphorylated and stabilized in expression by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which is overactive in numerous cancers with elevated expression or mutation of receptor tyrosine kinases or the GTPase RAS. In contrast to transcriptional strategies for selectivity, regulation of protein stability by ERK allows for high copy expression via constitutive viral promoters, while maintaining tumor selectivity in contexts of elevated ERK activity. Thus, our approach turns a signaling pathway often coopted by cancer cells for survival into a lethal disadvantage in the presence of a chimeric protein and prodrug, as highlighted by a series of in vitro and in vivo examples explored here.

Assessing and Overcoming Resistance Phenomena against a Genetically Modified Vaccinia Virus in Selected Cancer Cell Lines

Genetically modified vaccinia viruses (VACVs) have been shown to possess profound oncolytic capabilities. However, tumor cell resistance to VACVs may endanger broad clinical success. Using cell mass assays, viral replication studies, and fluorescence microscopy, we investigated primary resistance phenomena of cell lines of the NCI-60 tumor cell panel to GLV-1h94, a derivative of the Lister strain of VACV, which encodes the enzyme super cytosine deaminase (SCD) that converts the prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) into the chemotherapeutic compound 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). After treatment with GLV-1h94 alone, only half of the cell lines were defined as highly susceptible to GLV-1h94-induced oncolysis. When adding 5-FC, 85% of the cell lines became highly susceptible to combinatorial treatment; none of the tested tumor cell lines exhibited a "high-grade resistance" pattern. Detailed investigation of the SCD prodrug system suggested that the cytotoxic effect of converted 5-FU is directed either against the cells or against the virus particles, depending on the balance between cell line-specific susceptibility to GLV-1h94-induced oncolysis and 5-FU sensitivity. The data provided by this work underline that cellular resistance against VACV-based virotherapy can be overcome by virus-encoded prodrug systems. Phase I/II clinical trials are recommended to further elucidate the enormous potential of this combination therapy.

Antifungal Resistance in Candida auris: Molecular Determinants

Since Candida auris integrates strains resistant to multiple antifungals, research has been conducted focused on knowing which molecular mechanisms are involved. This review aims to summarize the results obtained in some of these studies. A search was carried out by consulting websites and online databases. The analysis indicates that most C. auris strains show higher resistance to fluconazole, followed by amphotericin B, and less resistance to 5-fluorocytosine and caspofungin. In C. auris, antifungal resistance to amphotericin B has been linked to an overexpression of several mutated ERG genes that lead to reduced ergosterol levels; fluconazole resistance is mostly explained by mutations identified in the ERG11 gene, as well as a higher number of copies of this gene and the overexpression of efflux pumps. For 5-fluorocytosine, it is hypothesized that the resistance is due to mutations in the FCY2, FCY1, and FUR1 genes. Resistance to caspofungin has been associated with a mutation in the FKS1 gene. Finally, resistance to each antifungal is closely related to the type of clade to which the strain belongs.

Combined effects of mesenchymal stem cells carrying cytosine deaminase gene with 5-fluorocytosine and temozolomide in orthotopic glioma model

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor, and current standard therapy provides modest improvements in progression-free and overall survival of patients. Innate tumor resistance and presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) require the development of multi-modal therapeutic regimens. Previously, cytosine deaminase (CD)-expressing mesenchymal stem cells (MSC/CD) were found to exhibit anticancer activity with a wide therapeutic index by converting 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), a nontoxic prodrug into 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a potent anticancer drug. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of MSC/CD in a multi-modal combination regimen with temozolomide (TMZ). Cell viability test, cell cycle, and normalized isobologram analyses were performed. In vivo anticancer effects were tested in a mouse orthotopic glioma model. TMZ and MSC/CD with 5-FC synergistically interacted and suppressed U87 glioma cell line growth in vitro. Combined treatment with TMZ and 5-FU increased cell cycle arrest and DNA breakage. In an orthotopic xenograft mouse model, treatment with TMZ alone suppressed tumor growth; however, this effect was more intense with MSC/CD transplantation followed by the sequential treatment with 5-FC and TMZ. Therefore, we propose that sequential treatment with 5-FC and MSC/CD can be used in patients with GBM during the immediate postoperative period to sensitize tumors to subsequent adjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy.

Disseminated cutaneous cryptococcosis in an immunocompetent elderly long-term pigeon fancier

Cutaneous cryptococcosis is classified as localized cutaneous cryptococcosis and cutaneous manifestations of disseminated cryptococcosis. The former presents as lesions, confined to isolated parts of the skin, which are neither systemically disseminated nor associated with cryptococcal fungemia or antigenemia. The latter presents as lesions through dissemination of Cryptococcus from visceral organs such as the lungs, with most cases being immunosuppressed hosts. We report the case of an immunocompetent elderly long-term pigeon fancier who presented with disseminated cutaneous cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. Although the patient had been at risk of inhaling the pathogen by keeping pigeons for many years, and had been treated with topical steroids for a localized nodular lesion, the cause of development of multiple skin lesions could not be determined. The patient paradoxically showed no pulmonary or central nervous system symptoms, fungemia or glucuronoxylomannan antigenemia. Treatment with oral itraconazole 200 mg/day was not effective, but combination therapy of 5-fluorocytosine 200 mg/kg per day and fluconazole 100 mg/day resolved the disease.

Performance of revised STO(1M)-3G basis set for prediction of 5-fluorocytosine chemical shifts

Nuclear shieldings and chemical shifts of 5-fluorocytosine (5FC) were predicted in the gas phase and DMSO solution modeled by polarizable continuum model using B3LYP density functional and revised STO(1M)-3G basis set. For comparison, eight arbitrary selected basis sets including STO-3G and medium-size Pople-type and larger dedicated Jensen-type ones were applied. The former basis sets were significantly smaller, but the calculated structural parameters, harmonic vibrational frequencies, were very accurate and close to those obtained with larger, polarization-consistent ones. The predicted ¹³ C and ¹ H chemical shieldings of 5FC and cytosine, selected as parent molecule, were acceptable (root mean square for ¹³ C chemical shifts in DMSO of about 5 ppm and less) though less accurate than those calculated with large basis sets, dedicated for prediction of nuclear magnetic resonance parameters.

Early clinical trials of Toca 511 and Toca FC show a promising novel treatment for recurrent malignant glioma

INTRODUCTION

Glioblastoma and anaplastic astrocytoma are two of the most aggressive and common glioma malignancies in adults. These high-grade gliomas (HGG) universally recur despite aggressive treatment modalities and have a median overall survival (mOS) of approximately 14 months from initial diagnosis. Upon recurrence, there is no standard of care and these patients have a dismal prognosis of around 9 months at time of recurrence. Areas covered: In this article, we assess the newly published phase I data of Toca 511 and Toca FC, a two-drug combination therapy for recurrent HGG (rHGG) tumors, for effectiveness and safety. Expert opinion: These early studies provide very encouraging results for Toca 511 and Toca FC in rHGG. This therapy had a response rate of 11.3% and a mOS of 11.9 months in 56 patients, an improvement compared to historical controls. Furthermore, all responders were complete responses after extended follow-up. The drug is well tolerated for most patients. Responders tended to be young and have high-performance scores prior to beginning therapy, but more studies are necessary to understand the patient profile that receives the most benefit. Randomized-controlled trials are warranted for Toca 511 and Toca FC to confirm drug efficacy.

Developmental toxicity of flucytosine following administration to pregnant rats at a specific time point of organogenesis

To investigate the abnormalities that are specific to administration of flucytosine at one time point during embryonic organogenesis, flucytosine was administered orally to pregnant Sprague Dawley (SD) rats in a single dose on day 11 of pregnancy at 25 or 35 mg/kg. Fetuses on day 20 of pregnancy were externally, viscerally, and skeletally examined. Maternal body weight gain and food consumption were suppressed the day after administration of a 35 mg/kg. Fetal examinations revealed various alterations in both dose groups: externally preaxial polydactyly in the hind limb; skeletally fused lumbar centrum, absent sacral centrum, supernumerary sacral vertebra, and absent ribs. Our findings indicated that specific types of external and skeletal anomalies were induced following flucytosine administration on day 11 of pregnancy.

Polymorphism in Mitochondrial Group I Introns among Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii Genotypes and Its Association with Drug Susceptibility

Cryptococcosis, one of the most important systemic mycosis in the world, is caused by different genotypes of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, which differ in their ecology, epidemiology, and antifungal susceptibility. Therefore, the search for new molecular markers for genotyping, pathogenicity and drug susceptibility is necessary. Group I introns fulfill the requisites for such task because (i) they are polymorphic sequences; (ii) their self-splicing is inhibited by some drugs; and (iii) their correct splicing under parasitic conditions is indispensable for pathogen survival. Here, we investigated the presence of group I introns in the mitochondrial LSU rRNA gene in 77 Cryptococcus isolates and its possible relation to drug susceptibility. Sequencing revealed two new introns in the LSU rRNA gene. All the introns showed high sequence similarity to other mitochondrial introns from distinct fungi, supporting the hypothesis of an ancient non-allelic invasion. Intron presence was statistically associated with those genotypes reported to be less pathogenic (p < 0.001). Further virulence assays are needed to confirm this finding. In addition, in vitro antifungal tests indicated that the presence of LSU rRNA introns may influence the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine. These findings point to group I introns in the mitochondrial genome of Cryptococcus as potential molecular markers for antifungal resistance, as well as therapeutic targets.

Structural investigation of the cocrystal formed between 5-fluorocytosine and fumaric acid based on vibrational spectroscopic technique

The vibrational spectra of 5-fluorocytosine, fumaric acid and their cocrystal were measured using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and Raman spectroscopy at room temperature. Experimental THz results show that the cocrystal has distinct fingerprint spectra in terahertz region. The absorption peaks observed in the terahertz spectra of the cocrystal were at 0.61 and 0.91THz. These are quite different from corresponding raw starting materials. Raman spectra also show similar results about differences between the cocrystal and corresponding raw starting materials. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to simulate the structure of the possible salt form and the cocrystal form between 5-fluorocytosine and fumaric acid. The theoretical terahertz result shows that the cocrystal form has absorption at 0.62 and 0.87THz, which is in agreement with the experimental result. The theoretical Raman result also indicates that the cocrystal form has more possibilities than the salt form. So, it is more reasonable that the structure between 5-fluorocytosine and fumaric acid could be the corresponding cocrystal form. The characteristic bands of the cocrystal between 5-fluorocytosine and fumaric acid are also assigned based on the simulation results from the DFT calculation.

Antifungal Efficacy of an Intravenous Formulation Containing Monomeric Amphotericin B, 5-Fluorocytosine, and Saline for Sodium Supplementation

PURPOSE

Amphotericin B (AmB) and 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) exhibit additive to synergistic activity against systemic mycoses. Incompatibility of prescribed formulations precludes concomitant IV administration, a route with distinct advantages. Previously, we used PEG-DSPE micelles to produce a reformulation of Fungizone (AmB-SD), AmB solubilized by sodium deoxycholate, called mAmB-90. Herein, we describe a second reformulation that facilitates co-delivery of mAmB-90 and 5-FC, and evaluate the effect of PEG-DSPE micelles on the combination's activity against Candida albicans.

METHODS

We assessed the effect of 5-FC addition on the stability, in vitro toxicity, and antifungal efficacy of mAmB-90. The aggregation state and particle size of mAmB-90 combined with 5-FC (FmAmB-90) was evaluated over 48 h. Hemolytic activity was measured in vitro. Antifungal activity was determined in vitro against C. albicans. The efficacy of monotherapy and combination treatment was evaluated in a neutropenic mouse model of disseminated candidiasis.

RESULTS

The aggregation state, particle size, and hemolytic activity of mAmB-90 were unaffected by 5-FC. While antifungal activity was similar in vitro, mAmB-90 alone and combined with 5-FC was more potent than AmB-SD in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term stability and in vivo efficacy of our formulation suggest potential to simultaneously deliver AmB and 5-FC for potent antifungal efficacy.

Synergistic effect of therapeutic stem cells expressing cytosine deaminase and interferon-beta via apoptotic pathway in the metastatic mouse model of breast cancer

As an approach to improve treatment of breast cancer metastasis to the brain, we employed genetically engineered stem cells (GESTECs, HB1.F3 cells) consisting of neural stem cells (NSCs) expressing cytosine deaminase and the interferon-beta genes, HB1.F3.CD and HB1.F3.CD.IFN-β. In this model, MDA-MB-231/Luc breast cancer cells were implanted in the right hemisphere of the mouse brain, while pre-stained GESTECs with redfluorescence were implanted in the contralateral brain. Two days after stem cells injection, 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) was administrated via intraperitoneal injection. Histological analysis of extracted brain confirmed the therapeutic efficacy of GESTECs in the presence of 5-FC based on reductions in density and aggressive tendency of breast cancer cells, as well as pyknosis, karyorrhexis, and karyolysis relative to a negative control. Additionally, expression of PCNA decreased in the stem cells treated group. Treatment of breast cancer cells with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) increased the expression of pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative factor, BAX and p21 protein through phosphorylation of p53 and p38. Moreover, analysis of stem cell migratory ability revealed that MDA-MB-231 cells endogenously secreted VEGF, and stem cells expressed their receptor (VEGFR2). To confirm the role of VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling in tumor tropism of stem cells, samples were treated with the VEGFR2 inhibitor, KRN633. The number of migrated stem cells decreased significantly in response to KRN633 due to Erk1/2 activation and PI3K/Akt inhibition. Taken together, these results indicate that treatment with GESTECs, particularly HB1.F3.CD.IFN-β co-expressing CD.IFN-β, may be a useful strategy for treating breast cancer metastasis to the brain in the presence of a prodrug.

Expression of Therapeutic Gene FCU1 Sensitizes Pancreatic Cancer Cells to 5-Fluorocytosine and Enhances the Cytotoxic Effect of 5-Fluorouracil

Hybrid therapeutic gene FCU1 gene was cloned into a lentiviral expression vector and the therapeutic effect of its expression was studied in three pancreatic cancer cell lines. Expression of FCU1 gene sensitized cells of two of three studied pancreatic cancer cell lines to 5-fluorocytosine. In addition, uracil phosphoribosyl transferase activity of the hybrid FCU1 protein increased sensitivity of transfected cells of all three studied pancreatic cancer cell lines to 5-fluorouracil, a standard chemotherapeutic agent.

Metastatic Ovarian Cancer Can Be Efficiently Treated by Genetically Modified Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Due to late diagnosis, often recurrence, formation of metastases and resistance to commonly used chemotherapeutics human ovarian carcinoma represents a serious disease with high mortality. Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AT-MSC) can serve as vehicles for therapeutic genes and we engineered AT-MSC to express either Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk-MSC), which phosphorylates ganciclovir (GCV) to its toxic metabolites or yeast fused cytosine deaminase::uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (CD::UPRT-MSC), which converts 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) to highly toxic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Here, we reported different responses of cytotoxicity mediated by CD::UPRT-MSC/5-FC treatment on human ovarian carcinoma cell lines-SKOV-3 and A2780 used in adherent or three-dimensional (3D) cell culture and we proved high potential of 3D model to predict results in our in vivo experiments. Both tumor cell lines showed similarly high chemosensitivity to the used treatment in adherent culture, but 3D model revealed severe discrepancy-only 36% of SKOV-3 cells but even 90% of A2780 cells were eliminated. This result served as a prognostic marker-we were able to achieve significantly decreased tumor volumes of subcutaneous xenografts of A2780 cells in nude mice and we prolonged tumor-free survival in 33% of animals bearing highly metastatic ovarian carcinoma after CD::UPRT-MSC/5-FC treatment.

Strong correlation between the antifungal effect of amphotericin B and its inhibitory action on germ-tube formation in a Candida albicans URA⁺ strain

The hypothetical capacity of amphotericin B to suppress the formation of germ-tubes, which is the first step of yeast-to-hypha conversion in Candida albicans, has been investigated in the wild-type strain CEY.1 (CAI.4-URA⁺). Exponential cells exposed to concentrations of amphotericin B below or around the MIC90, exhibited a weak reduction in the percentage of human serum-induced germ-tube formation at 37ºC compared with a non-exposed control. However, the dimorphic transition was drastically suppressed after addition of potentially lethal doses of amphotericin B, which also caused severe cell killing. In contrast, an identical experimental approach carried out with the fungistatic compound 5-fluorocytosine had no significant effect on the level of the germ-tube formation. Together, these results strongly point to a close correlation between the fungicidal action of amphotericin B and its ability to impair morphogenetic conversion in C. albicans.

Enhanced EJ Cell Killing of (125)I Radiation by Combining with Cytosine Deaminase Gene Therapy Regulated by Synthetic Radio-Responsive Promoter

Aim: To investigate the enhancing effect of radionuclide therapy by the therapeutic gene placed under the control of radio-responsive promoter.

Methods: The recombinant lentivirus E8-codA-GFP, including a synthetic radiation-sensitive promoter E8, cytosine deaminase (CD) gene, and green fluorescent protein gene, was constructed. The gene expression activated by ¹²⁵I radiation was assessed by observation of green fluorescence. The ability of converting 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) to 5-fluorourial (5-FU) by CD enzyme was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The viability of the infected cells exposed to ¹²⁵I in the presence of 5-FC was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and the infected cells exposed to ¹²⁵I alone served as negative control and 5-FU as positive control.

Results: The recombinant lentiviral vector was constructed successfully. On exposure of infected cells to ¹²⁵I, green fluorescence can be observed and 5-FU can be detected. MTT assay showed that the survival rate for infected cells treated with ¹²⁵I was lower compared with the ¹²⁵I control group, but higher than the positive control group.

Conclusion: The synthetic promoter E8 can induce the expression of downstream CD gene under ¹²⁵I radiation, and the tumor killing effect of ¹²⁵I can be enhanced by combining CD gene therapy with radiosensitive promoter.

Cytosine deaminase as a negative selectable marker for the microalgal chloroplast: a strategy for the isolation of nuclear mutations that affect chloroplast gene expression

Negative selectable markers are useful tools for forward-genetic screens aimed at identifying trans-acting factors that are required for expression of specific genes. Transgenic lines harbouring the marker fused to a gene element, such as a promoter, may be mutagenized to isolate loss-of-function mutants able to survive under selection. Such a strategy allows the molecular dissection of factors that are essential for expression of the gene. Expression of individual chloroplast genes in plants and algae typically requires one or more nuclear-encoded factors that act at the post-transcriptional level, often through interaction with the 5' UTR of the mRNA. To study such nuclear control further, we have developed the Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase gene codA as a conditional negative selectable marker for use in the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We show that a codon-optimized variant of codA with three amino acid substitutions confers sensitivity to 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) when expressed in the chloroplast under the control of endogenous promoter/5' UTR elements from the photosynthetic genes psaA or petA. UV mutagenesis of the psaA transgenic line allowed recovery of 5-FC-resistant, photosynthetically deficient lines harbouring mutations in the nuclear gene for the factor TAA1 that is required for psaA translation. Similarly, the petA line was used to isolate mutants of the petA mRNA stability factor MCA1 and the translation factor TCA1. The codA marker may be used to identify critical residues in known nuclear factors and to aid the discovery of additional factors required for expression of chloroplast genes.

Crystal structure of 4-amino-5-fluoro-2-oxo-2,3-di-hydro-pyrimidin-1-ium 3-hy-droxy-pyridine-2-carboxyl-ate

The asymmetric unit of the title salt, C4H5FN3O(+)·C6H4NO3 (-), contains one 4-amino-5-fluoro-2-oxo-2,3-di-hydro-pyrimidin-1-ium (5-fluoro-cytosinium, 5FC) cation and a 3-hy-droxy-picolinate (3HAP) anion. The 4-amino-5-fluoro-2-oxo-2,3-di-hydro-pyrimidine mol-ecule is protonated at one of the pyrimidine N atoms. The typical intra-molecular N-H⋯F and O-H⋯O S(5) and S(6) hydrogen-bond ring motifs are observed in the cations and anions. The protonated N atom and 2-amine group of the 5FC cation inter-act with the 3HPA anion through a pair of nearly parallel N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a robust R 2 (2)(8) ring motif. The ions are further linked by N-H⋯N, O-H⋯O, N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating R 2 (2)(7), R 3 (3)(12) and R 6 (5)(18) ring motifs, respectively, leading to supra-molecular wave-like sheets parallel to (010). The crystal structure is further stabilized by C-H⋯π inter-actions, generating a three-dimensional architecture.

Safety and efficacy of suicide gene therapy with adenosine deaminase 5-fluorocytosine silmutaneously in in vitro cultures of melanoma and retinal cell lines

Local treatment as a treatment modality is gaining increased general acceptance over time. Novel drugs and methodologies of local administration are being investigated in an effort to achieve disease local control. Suicide gene therapy is a method that has been investigated as a local treatment with simultaneously distant disease control. In our current experiment we purchased HTB-70 (melanoma cell line, derived from metastatic axillary node) and CRL-2302 (human retinal epithelium) were from ATCC LGC Standards and Ancotil^®, 2.5 g/250 ml (1 g/00ml) (5-Flucytosine) MEDA; Pharmaceuticals Ltd. UK. Adenosine Cytosine Deaminase (Ad.CD) was also used in order to convert the pro-drug 5-Flucytosine to the active 5-Fluoracil. Three different concentrations of 5-Flucytosine (5-FC) were administered (0.2ml, 0.8ml and 1.2ml). At indicated time-points (4h, 8h and 24h) cell viability and apoptosis were measured. Our concept was to investigate whether suicide gene therapy with Ad. CD-5-FC could be used with safety and efficiency as a future local treatment for melanoma located in the eye cavity. Indeed, our results indicated that in every 5-FC administration had mild cytotoxicity for the retinal cells, while increased apoptosis was observed for the melanoma cell line.

Enhancement of expression of survivin promoter-driven CD/TK double suicide genes by the nuclear matrix attachment region in transgenic gastric cancer cells. Gene. 2014;534:177-182. [PMID: 24220851 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.10.064]

This work aimed to study a novel transgenic expression system of the CD/TK double suicide genes enhanced by the nuclear matrix attachment region (MAR) for gene therapy. The recombinant vector pMS-CD/TK containing the MAR-survivin promoter-CD/TK cassette was developed and transfected into human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells. Expression of the CD/TK genes was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blot. Cell viability and apoptosis were measured using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and flow cytometry. When the MAR fragment was inserted into the upstream of the survivin promoter, the qPCR result showed that the expression of the CD/TK genes significantly increased 7.7-fold in the transgenic SGC-7901 cells with plasmid pMS-CD/TK compared with that without MAR. MTT and flow cytometry analyses indicated that treatment with the prodrugs (5-FC+GCV) significantly decreased the cellular survival rate and enhanced the cellular apoptosis in the SGC-7901 cells. The expression of the CD/TK double suicide genes driven by the survivin promoter can be enhanced by the MAR fragment in human gastric cancer cells.

Complete regression of glioblastoma by mesenchymal stem cells mediated prodrug gene therapy simulating clinical therapeutic scenario

Suicide gene therapy mediated by mesenchymal stem cells with their ability to engraft into tumors makes these therapeutic stem cells an attractive tool to activate prodrugs directly within the tumor mass. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of human mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow and from adipose tissue, engineered to express the suicide gene cytosine deaminase::uracil phosphoribosyltransferase to treat intracerebral rat C6 glioblastoma in a simulated clinical therapeutic scenario. Intracerebrally grown glioblastoma was treated by resection and subsequently with single or repeated intracerebral inoculations of therapeutic stem cells followed by a continuous intracerebroventricular delivery of 5-fluorocytosine using an osmotic pump. Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that surgical resection of the tumor increased the survival time of the resected animals depending on the extent of surgical intervention. However, direct injections of therapeutic stem cells into the brain tissue surrounding the postoperative resection cavity led to a curative outcome in a significant number of treated animals. Moreover, the continuous supply of therapeutic stem cells into the brain with growing glioblastoma by osmotic pumps together with continuous prodrug delivery also proved to be therapeutically efficient. We assume that observed curative therapy of glioblastoma by stem cell-mediated prodrug gene therapy might be caused by the destruction of both tumor cells and the niche where glioblastoma initiating cells reside.

Antitumor activity of mutant bacterial cytosine deaminase gene for colon cancer

AIM: To evaluate bacterial cytosine deaminase (bCD) mutant D314A and 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) for treatment of colon cancer in a mouse model.

METHODS: Recombinant lentivirus vectors that contained wild-type bCD gene (bCDwt), and bCD mutant D314A gene (bCD-D314A) with green fluorescence protein gene were constructed and used to infect human colon carcinoma LoVo cells, to generate stable transfected cells, LoVo/null, LoVo/bCDwt or LoVo/bCD-D314A. These were injected subcutaneously into Balb/c nude mice to establish xenograft models. Two weeks post-LoVo cell inoculation, PBS or 5-FC (500 mg/kg) was administered by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection once daily for 14 d. On the day after LoVo cell injection, mice were monitored daily for tumor volume and survival.

RESULTS: Sequence analyses confirmed the construction of recombinant lentiviral plasmids that contained bCDwt or bCD-D314A. The lentiviral vector had high efficacy for gene delivery, and RT-PCR showed that bCDwt or bCD-D314A gene was transferred to LoVo cells. Among these treatment groups, gene delivery or 5-FC administration alone had no effect on tumor growth. However, bCDwt/5-FC or bCD-D314A/5-FC treatment inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival of mice significantly (P < 0.05). Importantly, the tumor volume in the bCD-D314A/5-FC-treated group was lower than that in the bCDwt/5-FC group (P < 0.05), and bCD-D314A plus 5-FC significantly prolonged survival of mice in comparison with bCDwt plus 5-FC (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The bCD mutant D314A enhanced significantly antitumor activity in human colon cancer xenograft models, which provides a promising approach for human colon carcinoma therapy.

Bacterial cytosine deaminase mutants created by molecular engineering show improved 5-fluorocytosine-mediated cell killing in vitro and in vivo

Cytosine deaminase is used in combination with 5-fluorocytosine as an enzyme-prodrug combination for targeted genetic cancer treatment. This approach is limited by inefficient gene delivery and poor prodrug conversion activities. Previously, we reported individual point mutations within the substrate binding pocket of bacterial cytosine deaminase (bCD) that result in marginal improvements in the ability to sensitize cells to 5-fluorocytosine (5FC). Here, we describe an expanded random mutagenesis and selection experiment that yielded enzyme variants, which provide significant improvement in prodrug sensitization. Three of these mutants were evaluated using enzyme kinetic analyses and then assayed in three cancer cell lines for 5FC sensitization, bystander effects, and formation of 5-fluorouracil metabolites. All variants displayed 18- to 19-fold shifts in substrate preference toward 5FC, a significant reduction in IC(50) values and improved bystander effect compared with wild-type bCD. In a xenograft tumor model, the best enzyme mutant was shown to prevent tumor growth at much lower doses of 5FC than is observed when tumor cells express wild-type bCD. Crystallographic analyses of this construct show the basis for improved activity toward 5FC, and also how two different mutagenesis strategies yield closely related but mutually exclusive mutations that each result in a significant alteration of enzyme specificity.

Anticancer effect of cation lipofectin-mediated CD/5-FC suicide gene system on liver, biliary duct and pancreas carcinoma cells in vitro

AIM: To investigate the anticancer effect of the CD/5-FC suicide gene system on carcinoma cells of liver (Bel7402), bililary duct (QBC) and pancreas (Bxpc3), and to explore the possible anticancer mechanism.

METHODS: The growth curve and multiplication time of Bel-7402 QBC and Bxpc-3 were monitored by MTT; the transfection efficiency of the three kinds of carcinoma cells were detected by FACS after instant transfection. The anticancer efficiency of cation lipofectin-mediated CD/5-FC suicide gene system were monitored by MTT in vitro. Then, we analyzed the relation among multiplication time, transfection efficiency and anticancer effect; the apoptosis of CD/5-FC on the three cell lines were analyzed by FAM, and the apoptosis cells were stained by Hochest33342.

RESULTS: The multiplication time of Bel-7402, QBC and Bxpc-3 was 34.48, 64.94 and 26.29 h respectively, and difference between QBC and BEL-7402, BXPC-3 was significant (P < 0.05); the transfection efficiency of the three cell line were 26.99%, 2.25% and 30.36%, and the difference between QBC, and BEL-7402 and BXPC-3 was significant (P < 0.05); the anticancer efficiency was 83.24%, 16.97% and 92.32%, respectively. The apoptosis rates of the three kinds of carcinoma cells induced by CD/5-FC suicide gene system were 27.8%, 5.49% and 36.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Carcinoma cells with shorter growth cycle and less multiplication time have higher instant transfection efficiency, and are more responsive to CD/5-FC suicide gene therapy. This suicide gene therapy may be a promising method for later malignant tumor in clinic.

Cysteine of sequence motif VI is essential for nucleophilic catalysis by yeast tRNA m5C methyltransferase

Sequence comparison of several RNA m(5)C methyltransferases identifies two conserved cysteine residues that belong to signature motifs IV and VI of RNA and DNA methyltransferases. While the cysteine of motif IV is used as the nucleophilic catalyst by DNA m(5)C methyltransferases, this role is fulfilled by the cysteine of motif VI in Escherichia coli 16S rRNA m(5)C967 methyltransferase, but whether this conclusion applies to other RNA m(5)C methyltransferases remains to be verified. Yeast tRNA m(5)C methyltransferase Trm4p is a multisite-specific S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the methylation of cytosine at C5 in several positions of tRNA. Here, we confirm that Cys310 of motif VI in Trm4p is essential for nucleophilic catalysis, presumably by forming a covalent link with carbon 6 of cytosine. Indeed, the enzyme is able to form a stable covalent adduct with the 5-fluorocytosine-containing RNA substrate analog, whereas the C310A mutant protein is inactive and unable to form the covalent complex.

A new delivery system for 5-fluorouracil using prodrug and converting enzyme

AIMS

To evaluate a new delivery system of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) using 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) as a prodrug and cytosine deaminase induced in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

Fibroblastic cells from rabbit Tenon's capsule were cultured. The cells were exposed to 5-FU and 5-FC with or without cytosine deaminase induced by recombinant adenovirus. In the in vitro study, cell proliferation and DNA synthesis were assessed by MTS, BrdU assay. The effect of 5-FC removal after the treatment of 5-FC and cytosine deaminase induction was also assayed. In the in vivo study cells with or without cytosine deaminase induction were transplanted into the subconjunctival space of mice, followed by eye drops of 1000 microg/ml of 5-FC three times a day. The mice were sacrificed at days 1, 5, and 10, then the cells transplanted were evaluated.

RESULTS

Cell proliferation was inhibited by exposure to 5-FU in a dose dependent manner; however, up to 1000 microg/ml of 5-FC did not affect cell proliferation. Cell proliferation was inhibited by exposure to 5-FC in a time dependent manner with induction of cytosine deaminase following infection of recombinant adenovirus. When 5-FC was removed 3 or 6 days after the treatment, the cells grew again. The effect was reproduced in the in vivo model of subconjunctival cellular proliferation although 5-FC was administrated as eye drops. There were no cases with corneal erosion.

CONCLUSION

Cell proliferation was inhibited by co-exposure of 5-FC and cytosine deaminase. This new delivery system may merit controlled delivery of 5-FU after filtering surgery.

Feline phaeohyphomycosis: treatment with ketaconazole and 5-fluorocytosine

Two cats with phaeohyphomycosis, one infected with Phialophora verrucosa and the other with Exophiala jeanselmei, were treated with ketaconazole alone and in combination with 5-fluorocytosine after recurrence of the infections following surgical excision. The drugs were given orally at various doses and for various lengths of time, but were ineffective. Hepatocellular damage occurred in one cat.