Interleukin-2 induces the activities of DNA topoisomerase I and DNA topoisomerase II in HuT 78 cells

The induction by interleukin-2 of DNA topoisomerase I and DNA topoisomerase II activities in the human T cell line HuT 78 was investigated. HuT 78 cells were treated with 1000 U of interleukin-2/ml, and extracts of the HuT 78 nuclei were prepared over a 24 h period. The extracts were assayed quantitatively for the activities of DNA topoisomerase I and DNA topoisomerase II. Three concomitant, transient increases of 3- to 11-fold in the specific activities of both DNA topoisomerase I and DNA topoisomerase II were observed following treatment with IL-2 at 0.5, 4, and 10 h after treatment with interleukin-2. The specific activities of both enzymes returned to base-line values after each of these transient increases. These results reveal that the activities of DNA topoisomerase I and DNA topoisomerase II are highly regulated in HuT 78 cells upon treatment with IL-2.     

Inhibition of DNA polymerases and DNA topoisomerase II by triterpenes produced by plant callus

We found that some triterpene compounds could not only selectively inhibit the activities of mammalian DNA polymerase alpha (pol alpha) and beta (pol beta), but could also potently inhibit DNA topoisomerase II (topo II) [Biochem. J. 350 (2000) 757]. Here, we report that natural triterpenes produced by callus from an ancient Chinese medicinal plant were also inhibitors of the enzymes, and some were more selective than others. The natural triterpenes with a carboxyl group equally inhibited the activities of pol alpha, pol beta, and topo II, while the olide-type triterpenes with a ketone group suppressed the activities of pol beta and topo II, but not pol alpha. The other triterpenes from the callus hardly influenced these enzyme activities. As also described previously [J. Biochem. 130 (2001) 657], pol beta and topo II have a three-dimensionally similar triterpene-binding region, which is a pocket in which specific compounds can insert. The newly found triterpene inhibitors might structure-dependently insert into the pocket, and the pocket structure of each enzyme might, three-dimensionally but slightly, differ among them. The triterpene frames could be used for screening new inhibitors of the enzymes, and computer-simulated drug design using the frame and pocket structure may in theory be a possible approach to develop new inhibitors.     

Effects of SRSF1 on subnuclear localization of topoisomerase I

Subnuclear localization of topoisomerase I (top I) is determined by its DNA relaxation activity and a net of its interactions with in majority unidentified nucleolar and nucleoplasmic elements. Here, we recognized SR protein SRSF1 (Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1, previously known as SF2/ASF) as a new element of the net. In HeLa cells, overexpression of SRSF1 recruited top I to the nucleoplasm whereas its silencing concentrated it in the nucleolus. Effect of SRSF1 was independent of top I relaxation activity and was the best pronounced for the mutant inactive in relaxation reaction. In HCT116 cells where top I was not released from the nucleolus upon halting relaxation activity, it was also not relocated by elevated level of SRSF1. Out of remaining SR proteins, SRSF5, SRSF7, and SRSF9 did not influence the localization of top I in HeLa cells whereas overexpression of SRSF2, SRSF3, SRSF6, and partly SRSF4 concentrated top I in the nucleolus, most possibly due to the reduction of the SRSF1 accessibility. Specific effect of SRSF1 was exerted because of its distinct RS domain. Silencing of SRSF1 compensated the deletion of the top I N-terminal region, individually responsible for nucleoplasmic localization of the mutant, and restored the wild-type phenotype of deletion mutant localization. SRSF1 was essential for the camptothecin-induced clearance from the nucleolus. These results suggest a possible role of SRSF1 in establishing partition of top I between the nucleolus and the nucleoplasm in some cell types with distinct combinations of SR proteins levels.     

Biological activity of bis-benzimidazole derivatives on DNA topoisomerase I and HeLa,MCF7 and A431 cells

Benzimidazoles of both natural and synthetic sources are the key components of many bio-active compounds. Several reports have shown antifungal, antiviral, H₂ receptor blocker and antitumor activities for benzimidazoles and their derivatives. In this study, we synthesized twelve bis-benzimidazole derivatives by selecting di(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)methane as the main compound. The numbers of carbons at 2 positions of bis-benzimidazole derivatives were changed from 1 to 4, and derivatives were synthesized with methyl substitutions at 5- and/or 6- positions. The compounds were screened via in vitro plasmid superciol relaxation assays using mammalian DNA topoisomerase I and cytostatic assays were carried out against HeLa (cervix adenocarcinoma), MCF7 (breast adenocarcinoma) and A431 (skin epidermoid carcinoma) cells for selected derivatives. Our results suggest that the malonic acid derivatives of bis-benzimidazoles, namely, bis(5-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)methane and bis(5,6-dimethyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)methane, were remarkably active compounds in interfering with DNA topoisomerase I and the former compound was also found to be cytotoxic against MCF7 and A431 cells. The inhibitory effects obtained with these derivatives are significant as these compounds can be potential sources of anticancer agents.     

Glucocorticoid-induced changes in liver: Inhibition of nuclear Ca2+, Mg2+-dependent endonuclease activity in response to dexamethasone administration

The endogenous Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-dependent endonuclease activity in nuclei from livers of rats receiving daily injections of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone was examined with respect to the production of both single and double strand breaks in chromatin DNA. The ability to form single strand breaks was measured by means of a nick translation assay and double strand breaks by following the appearance of nucleosomal ladders. A fall in the activity causing double strand breaks to approximately 50 per cent of the control value was apparent at 12 h after the first injection of the steroid. A fall of 25–30 per cent was also observed in the nicking activity but this was not apparent until 24 h after the first steriod injection. Both endonuclease activities remained at these lower levels for the remainder of the period of treatment. Nuclear extracts from dexamethasone-treated rats also showed a reduced ability to produced nucleosomal ladders when incubated with rat muscle nuclei, indicating that the inhibition observed in intact nuclei from treated animals was independent of any changes in chromatin structure. On the other hand the nick translation activity of the two extracts was the same when calf thymus DNA was used as the substrate suggesting that steriod-induced alterations in chromatin structure may be a critical factor in the reduced level of this activity observed in intact nuclei.     

Inhibition of DNA topoisomerase II may trigger illegitimate recombination in living cells: experiments with a model system

We have developed a plasmid test system to study recombination in vitro and in mammalian cells in vivo, and to analyze the possible role of DNA topoisomerase II. The system is based on a plasmid construct containing an inducible marker gene ccdB ("killer" (KIL) gene) whose product is lethal for bacterial cells, flanked by two different potentially recombinogenic elements. The plasmids were subjected to recombinogenic conditions in vitro or in vivo after transient transfection into COS-1 cells, and subsequently transformed into E. coli which was then grown in the presence of the ccdB gene inducer. Hence, all viable colonies contained recombinant plasmids since only recombination between the flanking regions could remove the KIL gene. Thus, it was possible to detect recombination events and to estimate their frequency. We found that the frequency of topoisomerase II-mediated recombination in vivo is significantly higher than in a minimal in vitro system. The presence of VM-26, an inhibitor of the religation step of the topoisomerase II reaction, increased the recombination frequency by 60%. We propose that cleavable complexes of topoisomerase II are either not religated, triggering error-prone repair of the DNA breaks, or are incorrectly religated resulting in strand exchange. We also studied the influence of sequences known to contain preferential breakpoints for recombination in vivo after chemotherapy with topoisomerase II-targeting drugs, but no preferential stimulation of recombination by these sequences was detected in this non-chromosomal context.     

Purification and characterization of a novel ATP-independent type I DNA topoisomerase from a marine methylotroph

DNA topoisomerase is involved in DNA repair and replication. In this study, a novel ATP-independent 30-kDa type I DNA topoisomerase was purified and characterized from a marine methylotroph, Methylophaga sp. strain 3. The purified enzyme composed of a single polypeptide was active over a broad range of temperature and pH. The enzyme was able to relax only negatively supercoiled DNA. Mg(2+) was required for its relaxation activity, while ATP gave no effect. The enzyme was clearly inhibited by camptothecin, ethidium bromide, and single-stranded DNA, but not by nalidixic acid and etoposide. Interestingly, the purified enzyme showed Mn(2+)-activated endonuclease activity on supercoiled DNA. The N-terminal sequence of the purified enzyme showed no homology with those of other type I enzymes. These results suggest that the purified enzyme is an ATP-independent type I DNA topoisomerase that has, for the first time, been characterized from a marine methylotroph.     

Purification and characterization of type I DNA topoisomerase from Lentinus edodes

Abstract Type I DNA topoisomerase was purified from the lower eukaryote Lentinus edodes . Like the topoisomerase I from other eukaryotic cells, the L. edodes enzyme removed both positive and negative superhelical turns. The M _r of the enzyme was determined to be 71,500 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). On gel filtration by Sephacryl S-200, the enzyme appeared to be an aggregate with a native M _r of about 235 000 daltons. No energy cofactor was required and ATP did not affect the enzyme. Activity was enhanced about 10-fold by Mg²⁺ (10 mM) and about 8-fold by KCl (100 mM).     

Gametocytocidal activity of pyronaridine and DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors against multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum in vitro

Gametocytocidal activities of pyronaridine and DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors against two isolates of multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum, KT1 and KT3 were determined. After sorbitol treatment, pure gametocyte cultures of Plasmodium falciparum containing mostly young gametocytes (stage II and III) obtained on day 11 were exposed to the drugs for 48 h. The effect of the drugs on gametocyte development was assessed by counting gametocytes on day 15 of culture. Pyronaridine was the most effective gametocytocidal drug against P. falciparum isolates KT1 and KT3 with 50% inhibitory concentration of 6 and 20 nM, respectively. Moreover, the 50% inhibitory concentration of pyronaridine was lower than that of primaquine which is the only drug used to treat malaria patients harboring gametocytes. Prokaryotic (norfloxacin) and eukaryotic (amsacrine and etoposide) DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors were only effective against asexual but not sexual stages of the malaria parasites. Pyronaridine has both schizontocidal and gametocytocidal activities against the human malaria parasite, P. falciparum.     

Structure of transfection-active histone H1/DNA complexes

Relationships between the structure of transfecting complexes of histone H1 and DNA and their transfection efficiency were studied. Transfection activity proved to be connected to complex aggregates. Low speed centrifugation of the complexes resulted in loss of the transfection activity. The complexes/aggregates were active with high efficiency in a broad range of weight input ratios r _i (0.1<r _i<30). Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), the complexes were imaged at negative, nearly electroneutral and positive charge conditions. Electroneutral complexes at r _i=1 showed a multitude of different complex forms. Fibrillar, network-like and branched structures were frequently present in one complex. Strongly positive charged complexes had a toroidal appearance. All these different forms contributed to the high transfection efficiency. Cellular uptake is supposed to be by phagocytosis.     

人DNA 拓扑异构酶Ⅰ在毕赤酵母中的表达及发酵条件优化

为了在体外以人DNA拓扑异构酶Ⅰ(hTopoⅠ)为靶位进行抗肿瘤化合物的快速筛选,用RT-PCR法从Hela细胞中克隆了hTopoⅠ基因ORF并在毕赤酵母中首次成功表达,表达产物可分泌到发酵上清,易于制备。蛋白酶A缺陷的重组酵母(SMD-hTopoⅠ)分泌重组酶的能力比具有蛋白酶A活性的重组酵母(X33-hTopoⅠ和KM-hTopoⅠ)更高。通过发酵条件的优化,使用BMMY(pH7．25),于20℃,每隔24h补加0．5％(V/V)的甲醇和3％(V/V)的营养液,SMD-hTopoⅠ诱导72h后可表达最高的酶活力(43000u/mL),发酵上清中hTopoⅠ可达11mg/L,约占总蛋白的10％。SDS-PAGE和Westem blot分析显示,表达的hTopoⅠ为91kD蛋白,无糖基化修饰。     

Isolation of DNA topoisomerase II gene from Pleurotus ostreatus and its application in phylogenetic analysis

AIM: We performed experiments to isolate DNA topoisomerase II gene from Pleurotus ostereatus and to discuss its application as a feasible and credible molecular maker in phylogenitic analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: A fragment of PosTopII was amplified from a P. ostreatus cDNA clone by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using degenerate primers and primer walking. The full-length gene sequence was obtained with 3' and 5'-full RACE-PCR. The PosTopII cDNA is 4808 bp length and contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 4713 bp. The predicted peptide has 1571 amino acids, and exhibits strong sequence homology to other eukaryotic topoisomerase II. The PosTopII sequence was compared with the homologous genes to determine it can be used as a reliable molecular maker for P. ostreatus. CONCLUSIONS: The complete sequence of PosTopII cDNA clone was obtained. The phylogenetic relationships were consistent with other classification methods based on the morpological characteristics and rDNA gene sequences. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report on isolation of a DNA topoisomerse II from P. ostreatus. Findings from this study indicate that the DNA topoisomers II can be applied as a reliable meker for taxonomic distinction in the genus Pleurotus.     

Revealing the mode of action of DNA topoisomerase I and its inhibitors by atomic force microscopy

In this study, we used, for the first time, atomic force microscope (AFM) images to investigate the mode of action of DNA topoisomerase I (topo I) in the presence and absence of its inhibitors: camptothecin (CPT) and tyrphostin AG-1387. The results revealed that in the absence of the inhibitors, the enzyme relaxed supercoiled DNA starting from a certain point in the DNA molecules and proceeded in one direction towards one of the edges of the DNA molecule. In addition, the relaxation of the supercoiled DNA is subsequently followed by a knotting event. In the presence of CPT, enzyme-supercoiled DNA complexes in which the enzyme is locked inside a relaxed region of the supercoiled DNA molecule were observed. Tyrphostin AG-1387 altered the DNA relaxation process of topo I producing unique shapes of DNA molecules. AFM images of the topo I protein provided a picture of the enzyme, which resembles its known crystallographic structure. Thus, AFM images provide new information on the mode of action of topo I in the absence and presence of its inhibitors.     

DNA topoisomerase I from rice: Enzyme synthesis in germination, and partial purification from cultured cells

DNA topoisomerase I activity was observed in two-day-old seeds of rice when the seeds started germination at 30°. Partially purified enzyme from cultured rice cells showed maximum activity at pH 7.0 with 75 mM NaCl in the absence of ATP, and showed resistance to camptothecin and DNA-intercalating reagents. The M_r was ca 80 000 using gel permeation on a Sephacryl S-200 column. After fractionation of the homogenate from cultured rice cells by centrifugation, the activity was observed mainly in the crude nuclear fraction.     

Leishmania donovani: differential activities of classical topoisomerase inhibitors and antileishmanials against parasite and host cells at the level of DNA topoisomerase I and in cytotoxicity assays

Different classes of topoisomerase (TOP) inhibitors and antitrypanosomatid agents exhibited variable efficacies against Leishmania donovani parasites and human mononuclear cells both at the level of DNA topoisomerase I (TOPI) catalytic activity and in cytotoxicity assays. Bis-benzimidazoles and the diamidine diminazene aceturate exhibited uniformly high efficacies against parasite and host enzymes as well as against parasite and mononuclear cells, but pentamidine showed around 2 orders of magnitude greater specificity for Leishmania TOPI and amastigote cells (P<0.05). The protoberberine coralyne and the flavonoid quercetin were highly potent, but non-selective, inhibitors in vitro, although the latter showed slight selectivity for parasite TOPI. Camptothecin was selective for mononuclear cells at both levels (P<0.05) and sodium stibogluconate was selective only at the enzyme level displaying 30-fold greater potency against parasite TOPI (P<0.05). These data suggest that at least part of pentamidines' leishmanicidal activity may be mediated through TOPI inhibition, and support the feasibility of exploiting differences between Leishmania and human TOPs to develop modified compounds with improved selectivity.     

Autoantibodies against IA-2, GAD, and topoisomerase II in type 1 diabetic patients

Prevalence of autoantibodies against IA-2 (IA-2A), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA), and type II DNA topoisomerase (TopIIA) of Taiwanese type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients was investigated. Correlations of these autoantibodies with patients' clinical manifestations were also analyzed. Prevalence of IA-2A, GADA, and TopIIA in our patients was 23.6%, 47.1%, and 55.2%, respectively. Eighty percent of the IA-2A recognized the carboxyl terminus of the IA-2 protein tyrosine phosphatase-like domain. Average disease duration of IA-2A+ patients was significantly shorter than that of IA-2A- patients [3.76+/-0.42 vs. 4.98+/-0.34 years, p = 0.028]. Presence of GADA was correlated with the mean age of onset [10.82+/-0.76 vs. 8.38+/-0.77 years for GADA+ and GADA- patients, p = 0.026]. Patients with adolescent onset have higher GADA prevalence and better residual beta-cell functions. TopIIA and GADA are suggested to be better markers for Taiwanese T1DM patients because of their higher prevalence and persistence.