Methotrexate-resistant Leishmania donovani genetically deficient in the folate-methotrexate transporter

From a mutagenized population of wild type Leishmania donovani promastigotes, a clone was isolated in a single step by virtue of its resistance to 1 mM methotrexate, a potent inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase. This methotrexate-selected cell line, MTXA5, was cross-resistant to aminopterin but just as sensitive to growth inhibition caused by pyrimethamine, trimethoprim, and cytotoxic purine and pyrimidine analogs. Unlike previously characterized methotrexate-resistant Leishmania (Coderre, J. A., Beverley, S. M., Schimke, R., and Santi, D. V. (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 80, 2132-2136), resistance to the antimetabolite was not due to gene amplification or increased dihydrofolate reductase activity. The genetic defect in MTXA5 cells appeared to be in the methotrexate-folate transport system. The rate of uptake and transport of [3H]methotrexate and [3H]folate into MTXA5 cells was less than 1% of that of wild type parental cells. Neither wild type nor MTXA5 cells could multiply in folate-deficient medium, and thymine and thymidine at concentrations which circumvented methotrexate toxicity, did not restore the ability of Leishmania to grow. The concentration of exogenous folate that restored growth of wild type and mutant cells, however, was virtually identical, although MTXA5 cells, unlike parental cells, could not proliferate in folate-deficient medium supplemented with 10 microM biopterin. Interestingly, methotrexate and aminopterin could stimulate the growth of both leishmanial strains in folate-deficient medium, suggesting that these antifolate analogs were serving as a pteridine source for the parasite. These somatic cell genetic studies of folate transport in Leishmania provide genetic evidence for a specific folate permease in L. donovani promastigotes and have important implications concerning the mechanisms by which these parasites utilize exogenous pteridines and folates and by which they might become resistant to parasite-directed chemotherapeutic regimens.     

Methotrexate transport in variant human CCRF-CEM leukemia cells with elevated levels of the reduced folate carrier. Selective effect on carrier-mediated transport of physiological concentrations of reduced folates

This study reports the isolation and characterization of a variant of the human CCRF-CEM leukemia cell line that overproduces the carrier protein responsible for the uptake of reduced folates and the folate analogue methotrexate. The variant was obtained by adapting CCRF-CEM cells for prolonged times to stepwise decreasing concentrations of 5-formyltetrahydrofolate as the sole folate source in the cell culture medium. From cells that were grown on less than 1 nM 5-formyl-tetrahydrofolate, a variant (CEM-7A) was isolated exhibiting a 95-fold increased Vmax for [3H]methotrexate influx compared to parental CCRF-CEM cells. The values for influx Km, efflux t0.5, and Ki for inhibition by other folate (analogue) compounds were unchanged. Affinity labeling of the carrier with an N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of [3H]methotrexate demonstrate an approximately 30-fold increased incorporation of [3H] methotrexate in CEM-7A cells. This suggests that the up-regulation of [3H]methotrexate influx is not only due to an increased amount of carrier protein, but also to an increased rate of carrier translocation or an improved cooperativity between carrier protein molecules. Incubation for 1 h at 37 degrees C of CEM-7A cells with a concentration of 5-formyltetrahydrofolate or 5-methyltetrahydrofolate in the physiological range (25 nM) resulted in a 7-fold decline in [3H]methotrexate influx. This down-regulation during incubations with 5-formyltetrahydrofolate or 5-methyltetrahydrofolate could be prevented by either the addition of 10-25 nM of the lipophilic antifolate trimetrexate or by preincubating CEM-7A cells with 25 nM methotrexate. The down-regulatory effect was specifically induced by reduced folates since incubation of CEM-7A cells with 25 nM of either methotrexate, 10-ethyl-10-deazaaminopterin, aminopterin, or folic acid, or a mixture of purines and thymidine, had no effect on [3H]methotrexate influx. Similarly, these down-regulatory effects on [3H]methotrexate transport by 5-formyltetrahydrofolate, and its reversal by trimetrexate or methotrexate, were also observed, though to a lower extent, for parental CCRF-CEM cells grown in folate-depleted medium rather than in standard medium containing high folate concentrations. These results indicate that mediation of reduced folate/methotrexate transport can occur at reduced folate concentrations in the physiological range, and suggest that the intracellular folate content may be a critical determinant in the regulation of methotrexate transport.     

Photoaffinity labeling of insulin-sensitive hexose transporters in intact rat adipocytes. Direct evidence that latent transporters become exposed to the extracellular space in response to insulin

Irradiation of intact rat adipocytes with high intensity ultraviolet light in the presence of 0.5 microM [3H] cytochalasin B results in the labeling of Mr 43,000 and 46,000 proteins that reside in the plasma membrane fraction. In contrast to the Mr 46,000 protein, the Mr 43,000 component is not observed in the microsome fraction and exhibits lower affinity for [3H]cytochalasin B. Photolabeling of the Mr 43,000 protein is inhibited by cytochalasin D, indicating it is not a hexose transporter component. The Mr 46,000 protein exhibits characteristics expected for the glucose transporter such that D-glucose or 3-O-methylglucose but not cytochalasin D inhibits its photolabeling with [3H] cytochalasin B. Furthermore, insulin addition to intact cells either prior to or after photoaffinity labeling of the Mr 46,000 protein causes a redistribution of this component from the low density microsomes to the plasma membrane fraction, as expected for the hexose transporter. Photolabeling of transporters in both the low density microsome and plasma membrane fractions is inhibited when intact cells are equilibrated with 50 mM ethylidene glucose prior to irradiation with [3H]cytochalasin B. Incubation of intact cells with 50 mM ethylidene glucose for 1 min at 15 degrees C leads to an intracellular concentration of only 2 mM. Under these conditions, the photoaffinity labeling in intact cells of hexose transporters that fractionate with the low density microsomes is unaffected, indicating these transporters are not exposed to the extracellular medium. In contrast, photolabeling in intact insulin-treated cells of hexose transporters that fractionate with the plasma membrane is inhibited under these incubation conditions. The results demonstrate that insulin action results in the exposure to the extracellular medium of previously sequestered hexose transporters.     

A new type of high affinity folic acid transporter in the protozoan parasite Leishmania and deletion of its gene in methotrexate-resistant cells

The protozoan parasite Leishmania is a folate auxotroph and thus depends on the uptake of folate from the environment to meet its folate requirement. We show here that Leishmania contains several putative pteridine transporter genes. Some of these genes are deleted in methotrexate-resistant Leishmania cells where there is no measurable uptake of methotrexate. Transport studies suggest that Leishmania has more than one active folate transporter, and one of these, named FT5, corresponds to a very high affinity folate transporter (K(m) 84 nm). The uptake of both folate and methotrexate was impaired in an FT5 null mutant at low substrate concentrations (50 nm), although transport properties at higher concentrations (1000 nm) were not statistically different between wild-type and the FT5 null mutant. Modulation of the expression of FT5 also changes the susceptibility of Leishmania cells to methotrexate. These results have permitted the characterization of a novel class of folate transporters and suggest that the parasite Leishmania has several gene products possibly transporting folates and related molecules under varying conditions.     

Adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-receptor protein and protein kinase in Coprinus macrorhizus

A single cAMP-receptor protein could be detected in mycelial extracts of Coprinun macrorhizus by using the photoaffinity cAMP-analogue, 8-N3-cAMP. The protein which specifically bound 32P-labeled 8-N3-cAMP had an apparent molecular weight of 46,000 as determined by an SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system. The 46,000-dalton protein was characterized by the dissociation constant for [32P]-8-N3-cAMP, and by the nucleotide specific inhibition of [32P]-8-N3-cAMP binding. The 46,000-dalton protein was co-chromatographed on a DEAE-cellulose column with cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The levels of [32P]-8-N3-cAMP-binding and protein kinase activities in mycelial extracts of strains used was always in parallel. The result indicated that the 46,000-dalton protein may be a regulatory subunit of protein kinase with the capacity to bind cAMP. cAMP-dependent protein kinase of this fungus was immunologically different from those of higher animals.     

Further studies on a novel class of genetic variants of the L1210 cell with increased folate analogue transport inward. Transport properties of a new variant, evidence for increased levels of a specific transport protein, and its partial characterization following affinity labeling

Studies are reported on the characterization of a new isolate within a novel class of variants of the L1210 cell exhibiting markedly increased transport inward of folate analogues. This variant (L1210/R83), which was selected in the presence of the antifolate metoprine, exhibited a 40-fold increase in [3H]aminopterin influx compared to parental cells and a modest (4-5-fold) increase in [3H]aminopterin efflux. The increase in influx was associated with a comparable increase in influx Vmax for the one-carbon, reduced folate transport system and the same increase in the amount of specific binding of [3H]aminopterin on the cell surface. Values for influx Km for [3H]aminopterin and specificity for various folate structures were unchanged. The alteration in influx Vmax and more rapid efflux accounted for the different level of intracellular exchangeable level of drug at steady state in this variant compared with parental L1210 cells. Otherwise, membrane potential was unchanged. The N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of [3H]aminopterin was used to covalently label the specific binding protein for folate compounds in the plasma membrane of variant and parental L1210 cells. Incorporation of label into this protein was stable under a variety of conditions and accounted for 97 and 52% of total cellular labeling, respectively, for membrane derived from R83 and parental L1210 cells at a reagent concentration of 20 nM. Specific affinity labeling on the surface of parental and variant cells was decreased in the presence of aminopterin, methotrexate, or 5-formyltetrahydrofolate, but not in the presence of folic acid. Also, [3H]aminopterin influx in these cells was inhibited by the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of aminopterin or methotrexate, but not the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of folic acid. These findings, in addition to the increased affinity labeling of this variant, which corresponds to the increase in influx of [3H] aminopterin also seen, appears to identify the affinity labeled protein as a component of the "classical" one-carbon, reduced folate transport system in these cells. The affinity labeled protein from each cell type was solubilized in sodium dodecyl sulfate or extracted in detergent in the presence of proteinase inhibitors and was found to elute from Sephacryl S-300 and migrate during sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as a single peak of Mr = 45,000-48,000. Recovery of labeled binding protein in these fractions from R83 variant cells was approximately 40 times greater than that from parental cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Alterations in plasma membrane proteins associated with the proteolytic activation of adenylate cyclase

Treatment of intact normal rat kidney fibroblasts, or of purified NRK plasma membranes, with trypsin or papain markedly enhances adenylate cyclase activity [ATP pyrophosphatelyase (cyclizing) EC 4.6.1.1]. Limited proteolysis (25 μg/ml trypsin for 7 min) of confluent cells grown with unheated calf serum significantly increases cyclase activity, whereas similar treatment of sparse cells causes only a marginal increase in cyclic AMP formation. To determine which membrane protein(s) is altered under conditions which result in proteolytic activation of adenylate cyclase, purified plasma membranes and intact normal rat kidney cells were subjected to limited proteolysis and membrane proteins analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis. Membranes prepared from intact confluent normal rat kidney cells exposed to mild trypsinization showed a decrease in proteins of 56,000, 46,000, 37,000, and 32,000 daltons. Trypsin treatment of intact, sparse cells does not activate the cyclase system and does not lead to modification of the 46,000-dalton membrane protein. Treatment of purified normal rat kidney plasma membranes results in the loss of numerous bands in the high molecular mass region (>150,000 daltons) as well as decreases membrane proteins of 56,000, 49,000, 46,000, and 23,000 daltons. Compared with trypsin, the proteolytic action of papain appears to be quite specific, causing a discernible decrease in only the 46,000-dalton protein. The correlation between modification of the 46,000-dalton membrane component and the activation of the cyclase system suggests that perhaps this protein is proteolytically modified to elicit activation of adenylate cyclase.     

Photoaffinity analogues of methotrexate as folate antagonist binding probes. 2. Transport studies, photoaffinity labeling, and identification of the membrane carrier protein for methotrexate from murine L1210 cells

A membrane-derived component of the methotrexate/one-carbon-reduced folate transport system in murine L1210 cells has been identified by using a photoaffinity analogue of methotrexate. The compound, a radioiodinated 4-azidosalicylyl derivative of the lysine analogue of methotrexate, is transported into murine L1210 cells in a temperature-dependent, sulfhydryl reagent inhibitable manner with a Kt of 506 +/- 79 nM and a Vmax of 17.9 +/- 4.2 pmol min-1 (mg of total cellular protein)-1. Uptake of the iodinated compound at 200 nM is inhibited by low amounts of methotrexate (I50 = 1.0 microM). The parent compounds of the iodinated photoprobe inhibit [3H]methotrexate uptake, with the uniodinated 4-azidosalicylyl derivative exhibiting a Ki of 66 +/- 21 nM. UV irradiation, at 4 degrees C, of a cell suspension that had been incubated with the probe results in the covalent modification of a 46K-48K protein. This can be demonstrated when the plasma membranes from the labeled cells are analyzed via sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Labeling of this protein occurs half-maximally at a reagent concentration that correlates with the Kt for transport of the iodinated compound. Protection against labeling of this protein by increasing amounts of methotrexate parallels the concentration dependence of inhibition of photoprobe uptake by methotrexate. In addition, no labeling occurs when a cell line that has a defective methotrexate transport system is similarly treated. Evidence that, in the absence of irradiation and at 37 degrees C, the iodinated probe is actually internalized is demonstrated by the labeling of two soluble proteins (Mr 38K and 21K) derived from the cell homogenate supernatant.     

Characterization of the methotrexate transport pathway in murine L1210 leukemia cells: involvement of a membrane receptor and a cytosolic protein

A radioiodinated photoaffinity analogue of methotrexate, N alpha-(4-amino-4-deoxy-10-methyl-pteroyl)-N epsilon-(4-azidosalicylyl)-L- lysine (APA-ASA-Lys), was recently used to identify the plasma membrane derived binding protein involved in the transport of this folate antagonist into murine L1210 cells [Price, E. M., & Freisheim, J. H. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 4757-4763]. The labeled protein has an apparent molecular weight of 46K-48K when analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, but no such labeling occurs in a methotrexate transport-defective cell line (L1210/R81). Labeling of the total cytosolic protein from disrupted cells, followed by electrophoresis and autoradiography, showed, among other proteins, a 21K band, corresponding to dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), in both the parent and R81 cells and a 38K band only in the parent cells. However, when whole cells were UV irradiated at various times at 37 degrees C following addition of radiolabeled APA-ASA-Lys, the 38K protein and DHFR were the only cytosolic proteins labeled in the parent cells, while the intact R81 cells showed no labeled cytosolic protein, since the photoprobe is not transported. Further, when the parent cells were treated with a pulse of radiolabeled photoprobe, followed by UV irradiation at different times at 37 degrees C, the probe appeared sequentially on the 48K membrane protein and both the 38K cytosolic protein and dihydrofolate reductase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Oxidation of leucine by Leishmania donovani.

The metabolism of leucine by Leishmania donovani was investigated. Washed promastigotes were incubated with [1-14C]- or [U-14C]leucine or [1-14C]alpha-ketoisocaproate (KIC) and 14CO2 release was measured. The amount of KIC-derived acetyl-CoA oxidized in the citric acid cycle was computed. Promastigotes from mid-stationary phase cultures oxidized each of these labeled substrates less rapidly than cells from late log phase cultures, and significantly less acetyl-CoA derived from KIC oxidation was oxidized in the citric acid cycle. Glucose was a stronger inhibitor than was acetate of CO2 formation in the citric acid cycle in log phase promastigotes, but the reverse was observed in cells from mid-stationary phase. Alanine also inhibited leucine catabolism, but glutamate had little effect. Acute hypo-osmotic stress did not affect leucine catabolism, but hyper-osmotic stress caused appreciable inhibition of leucine oxidation. Cells grown under hypo- or hyper-osmotic conditions showed no changes in the effects of hypo- or hyper-osmotic stress on leucine catabolism, i.e. L. donovani is not an osmoconformer with respect to leucine metabolism. Leucine utilization in L. donovani was insensitive to a number of drugs that affect leucine metabolism in mammalian cells, indicating that the leucine pathway in L. donovani is not regulated in the same manner as in mammalian cells.     

The effects on 4-aminoantifolates on 5-formyltetrahydrofolate metabolism in L1210 cells. A biochemical basis of the selectivity of leucovorin rescue

This report describes studies designed to evaluate possible inhibitory effects of diaminoantifolates on folate-dependent biosynthetic enzymes in intact L1210 leukemia cells. A novel approach is described which involves an assessment of the metabolism of and biosynthetic flux of the one-carbon moiety from (6S)5-formyltetrahydrofolate in folate-depleted cells. Pretreatment with methotrexate (10 microM), resulting in the formation of methotrexate polyglutamates, or continuous incubation with trimetrexate (1 microM) inhibited growth of folate-depleted L1210 cells in the presence of folic acid or 5-formyltetrahydrolate. In both control and drug-treated cells, double-labeled (6S)-5-[14C]formyl[3H]tetrahydrofolate was rapidly metabolized with the loss of the [14C]formyl group. Under all conditions, the predominant metabolite was 10-formyl[3H]tetrahydrofolate, detectable both intracellularly and extracellularly. In drug-treated cells, there was a remarkably small decrease in the level of 10-formyl[3H]tetrahydrofolate (approximately 30%) and a 10-fold rise in the level of [3H]dihydrofolate to less than 20% of the total folate pool. The incorporation of [14C]formyl group from 5-[14C]formyltetrahydrofolate into thymidylate, serine, and methionine was unaffected by the presence of 1 microM trimetrexate, consistent with the generation of sufficient 5,10-[14C]methylenetetrahydrofolate to drive these reactions. Similarly, the presence of methotrexate polyglutamates had no effect at the level of amino acid synthesis; however, carbon transfer into thymidylate was markedly inhibited. Even though 10-formyltetrahydrofolate was readily formed from 5-formyltetrahydrofolate in this model, the net incorporation of 14C from 5-[14C]formyltetrahydrofolate into purine nucleotides was inhibited by both methotrexate and trimetrexate treatments. Similar findings were obtained when [14C]glycine incorporation into purine nucleotides was monitored in cells incubated with unlabeled 5-formyltetrahydrofolate. Finally, in antifolate-treated cells incubated with unlabeled 5-formyl-tetrahydrofolate, transfer of 14C from [14C]formate or [14C]serine into biosynthetic products or incorporation of [3H]deoxyuridine into nucleic acids was potently inhibited. These results suggest that insufficient levels of tetrahydrofolate and 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate were formed to drive these reactions despite the presence of high levels of 10-formyltetrahydrofolate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Deoxyhypusine/hypusine formation on a 21,000-dalton cellular protein in a Neurospora crassa mutant in vivo and in vitro

Hypusine formation on an 18,000-dalton cellular protein is a unique spermidine-dependent, post-translational modification that appears to be ubiquitous in mammalian cells. To determine whether this modification also exists in lower eukaryotes, we examined possible labeling in vitro and in vivo of cellular protein(s) by [3H]spermidine in a mutant strain of Neurospora crassa (arge-12 ota aga) in which ornithine and polyamine synthesis could be nutritionally manipulated. Because of poor uptake of polyamines in this organism, [3H]ornithine, the immediate precursor of polyamines, was used for the in vivo labeling experiment. Both in vitro and in vivo labeling resulted in a specific labeling of a 21,000-dalton protein. Radioactive hypusine was recovered from radiolabeled 21,000-dalton protein following acid hydrolysis. The in vitro labeling of the 21,000-dalton protein was dramatically stimulated by NAD+ and NADP+, but not by FMN or FAD, suggesting that an NAD+/NADP(+)-dependent oxidative cleavage of spermidine is involved in deoxyhypusine formation. Isoelectric focusing/sodium dodecyl sulfate two-dimensional gel analysis revealed three isoforms of the in vitro labeled 21,000-dalton protein, with pI values ranging from 5.2 to 6.5. In contrast, the 21,000-dalton protein metabolically labeled in vivo gave only one spot with a pI value of approx. 3.5.     

Identification of polypeptides of the phencyclidine receptor of rat hippocampus by photoaffinity labeling with [3H]azidophencyclidine

Polypeptide components of the phencyclidine (PCP) receptor present in rat hippocampus were identified with the photolabile derivative of phencyclidine [3H]azidophencyclidine ( [3H]AZ-PCP). The labeled affinity probe was shown to reversibly bind to specific sites in the dark. The number of receptor sites bound is equal to those labeled by [3H]PCP, and their pharmacology and stereospecificity are identical with those of the PCP/sigma-opiate receptors. The dissociation constant of [3H]AZ-PCP from these receptors is 0.25 +/- 0.08 microM. Photolysis of hippocampus membranes preequilibrated with [3H]AZ-PCP, followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, revealed the existence of five major labeled bands of which a Mr 90 000 band and a Mr 33 000 band were heavily labeled. Inhibition experiments, in which membranes were incubated with [3H]AZ-PCP in the presence of various PCP analogues and opiates, indicate that labeling of both the Mr 90 000 band and the Mr 33 000 band is sensitive to relatively low concentrations (10 microM) of potent PCP/sigma receptor ligands, while similar concentrations of levoxadrol, naloxone, morphine, D-Ala-D-Leu-enkephalin, atropine, propranolol, and serotonin were all ineffective. Stereoselective inhibition of labeling of the Mr 90 000 band and of the Mr 33 000 band was also observed by the use of dexoxadrol and levoxadrol. The Mr 33 000 band was not as sensitive as the Mr 90 000 band to inhibition by the selective PCP receptor ligands N-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine and PCP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Reductions in methotrexate and folate influx in methotrexate-resistant lines of Leishmania major are independent of R or H region amplification

The methotrexate (MTX) and folate transport properties of five MTX-resistant lines of Leishmania major have been examined. These resistant lines all show a decreased Vmax for MTX influx, with no change in apparent affinity (Kt). The Vmax of folate influx is also proportionately decreased without alteration in Kt, supporting our proposal that there is a single carrier mediating influx of both ligands. Amplifications of two regions of DNA, the R region (encoding dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase) and the H region (Beverley, S.M., Coderre, J.A., Santi, D.V., and Schimke, R.T. (1984) Cell 38, 431-439), were also observed. In a given line, the amplifications occurred singly, in combination, or not at all. No other regions of amplification were detected. The phenotype of reduced MTX transport was moderately stable in the highly resistant R1000 line, being retained for more than 200 generations in the absence of MTX in vitro and during one passage through an infected mouse; in contrast, R- and H-amplified DNA were less stable. The lack of correlation of R and H amplification with reduced MTX transport suggests that alterations in transport are not causally mediated by gene amplification in Leishmania, but are a separate mode of MTX resistance. The onset of decreased MTX transport was also examined; wild-type Leishmania developed a reduced Vmax of MTX influx within 24 h following exposure to 1 microM MTX, which is extremely unstable in the absence of drug pressure. A comparable decrease in the Vmax of influx is seen in cells exposed to MTX in media in which cytotoxicity is eliminated. As the folate/MTX transporter is regulated by exogenous folate, these data suggest that the initial rapid decrease in MTX transport may be a cellular regulatory response, in contrast to that found within the R1000 line which resembles a more stable genetic mutation.     

Biosynthesis of lipophosphoglycan from Leishmania donovani: characterization of mannosylphosphate transfer in vitro.

Lipophosphoglycan (LPG) is the major surface glycoconjugate of Leishmania donovani promastigotes and is composed of a capped polymer of repeating PO4-6Gal(beta 1,4)Man alpha 1 disaccharide units linked via a phosphosaccharide core to a lyso-1-O-alkylphosphatidylinositol anchor. An exogenous acceptor composed of the glycolipid anchor portion of LPG was shown to stimulate the enzymatic synthesis of the repeating phosphorylated disaccharide units of LPG in a cell-free system. Using the exogenous acceptor, GDP-[3H]Man, [beta-32P]GDP-Man, and unlabeled UDP-Gal as substrates, membrane preparations from an LPG-defective mutant of L. donovani that lacks endogenous acceptors catalyzed the incorporation of the doubly labeled mannosylphosphate unit into a product that exhibited the chemical and chromatographic characteristics of LPG. Analysis of fragments generated by mild acid hydrolysis of the radiolabeled product indicated that [3H]mannose-1-[32P]PO4 had been transferred from the dual-labeled sugar nucleotide. These results are consistent with the proposal that the repeating units of the L. donovani LPG are synthesized by the alternating transfer of mannose 1-phosphate and galactose from their respective nucleotide donors.     

Interaction of N-hydroxy(sulfo) succinimide active esters with the reduced folate/methotrexate transport system from human leukemic CCRF-CEM cells

The membrane impermeant protein cross-linker 3,3'-dithiobissulfosuccinimidyl propionate (DTSSP) is a well-known inhibitor of human erythrocyte band 3-mediated inorganic anion transport. We observed that DTSSP is also a potent inhibitor of reduced folate/methotrexate transport in human CCRF-CEM leukemia cells. An interaction of DTSSP with the reduced folate/MTX is substantiated by findings that: (a) like MTX transport itself, the concentration of DTSSP required for half-maximal inhibition of [3H]methotrexate transport varied substantially with the anionic composition of the external medium. In a saline buffer and an anion-deficient buffer the I50 values were 7 and 1 microM, respectively; (b) saturation of the carrier with 1-5 microM methotrexate completely protected the transport system from interaction by DTSSP; (c) methotrexate transport activity in DTSSP-treated cells could be restored after cleavage of the disulfide bond in DTSSP under mild reducing conditions; and (d) pretreatment of cells with DTSSP reduced the incorporation of [3H]methotrexate after labeling with an N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of [3H]methotrexate (NHS-MTX), another potent inhibitor of methotrexate transport. Comparison of DTSSP- and NHS-MTX-induced inhibition of methotrexate transport showed that DTSSP inhibition, in contrast to NHS-MTX inhibition, was (a) less potent, (b) dependent on buffer conditions, (c) reversible by reducing agents, and (d) required only a very low molar ratio of methotrexate over DTSSP to afford maximal protection.     

A novel class of genetic variants of the L1210 cell up-regulated for folate analogue transport inward. Isolation, characterization, and degree of metabolic instability of the system

We have isolated stable variants of the L1210 cell exhibiting increased transport inward of the folate analog, methotrexate. These variants show 3- to 14-fold increases in [3H]methotrexate influx compared to parental cells but are unaltered for [3H]methotrexate efflux. This increased influx in each variant is quantitatively reflected in corresponding elevations in intracellular exchangeable levels of drug at steady state, but there is no alteration in membrane potential. The increases in influx are associated with increased values for influx Vmax for a system normally transporting reduced folates and the same increase in the amount of a specific binding component at the cell surface. Otherwise, values for influx Km and specificity for various folate structures are unchanged. This alteration in [3H]methotrexate influx is biochemically and genetically stable, since it is expressed in isolated plasma membrane vesicles and is retained during growth in non-selective medium. Following addition of cycloheximide, the same rate of decay of this transport activity (t 1/2 = 126 +/- 24 to 137 +/- 26 min) was shown for parental and variant cells. From these results we conclude that turnover of this transport property occurs in these cells which is genetically regulated. Also, the elevated transport activity inward for this folate analog in these variant cells is probably the result of a genetic alteration up-regulating the rate of synthesis of the "putative" carrier protein itself. The absence of any effect on efflux of [3H]methotrexate in these variants in the face of evidence for increased synthesis of the carrier protein for the system mediating influx of this folate analog is construed as further evidence for the nonidentity of systems mediating each flux that we proposed on the basis of earlier kinetic studies.     

Use of a folate-PPE conjugate to image cancer cells in vitro

We have demonstrated synthesis and application of a water-soluble, folate-substituted poly(p-phenyleneethynylene) (PPE) as a fluorescent contrast agent to image cancer cells. This fluorescent polymer targets and images KB cancer cells in vitro with high selectivity. To deliver PPE to the cells, folate ligands have been attached to an amine-functionalized PPE via an amide coupling agent. The hydrolysis of the ester groups gave a water-soluble PPE, 5. The PPE 5 is minimally cytotoxic at concentrations of 1-10 microg/mL, which is sufficient to stain KB cancer cells efficiently. PPE 6, devoid of folate ligands, did not stain KB cells. As a low folic acid (-) receptor control group, NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells were incubated with 5 and did not show fluorescent labeling. The folate receptor-mediated endocytosis of KB cells was evidenced by laser scanning confocal microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. The photochemical stability and ability to sustain multivalency provide advantages of PPEs over other fluorescent contrast agents. Their minimal cytotoxicity makes the PPE superior to the cytotoxic CdSe quantum dots.     

Effects of folate receptor expression following stable transfection into wild type and methotrexate transport-deficient ZR-75-1 human breast cancer cells.

Two biochemically distinct systems, the high affinity folate receptor and the lower affinity reduced-folate carrier, have each been implicated in mediating the transport of folates and antifolates into cells. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that methotrexate accumulation into wild type (WT) ZR-75-1 human breast cancer cells involves a system with characteristics of the reduced-folate carrier, that this system is deficient in methotrexate resistant (MTXR) ZR-75-1 cells in which methotrexate transport is undetectable and that neither breast cancer cell line expresses folate receptors. In this report we examined the possible interaction of the reduced-folate carrier with folate receptors by stably transfecting both WT ZR-75-1 and MTXR ZR-75-1 cells with an expression vector containing a folate receptor cDNA. Clones of stably transfected MTXR ZR-75-1 and WT ZR-75-1 cells expressing comparable levels of folate receptors were studied and compared to the nontransfected cell lines. Although nontransfected WT and MTXR ZR-75-1 cell lines require concentrations > or = 100 nM folic acid for growth, the expression of folate receptors in transfected WT and MTXR ZR-75-1 cells permitted the growth of both cell lines in low concentrations (1 nM) of folic acid. While the defect in the reduced-folate carrier system in MTXR ZR-75-1 cells inhibits their growth in medium containing low concentrations of folinic acid (< or = 1 microM), MTXR ZR-75-1 cells expressing folate receptors display uninhibited growth in 1 nM folinic acid. The accumulation of folic acid, folinic acid, and methotrexate is enhanced in folate receptor-transfected WT ZR-75-1 cells and MTXR ZR-75-1 cells. Furthermore, the accumulation of folates and antifolate was similar in both transfected WT and MTXR ZR-75-1 cell lines that expressed folate receptors. This suggests that alterations in the reduced-folate carrier do not affect folate receptor function. We also examined the effect of folate receptor expression on the sensitivity of WT and MTXR ZR-75-1 cells to methotrexate and to the lipophillic antifolate trimetrexate. Increased folate receptor expression decreased the sensitivity of WT ZR-75-1 cells toward the antifolate trimetrexate, presumably through increased uptake of reduced folates. Although the expression of the folate receptor enhanced the growth of both cell lines in low folate concentrations, it did not affect the sensitivity of either WT or MTXR ZR-75-1 cells to methotrexate.     

Folate (pteroylglutamate) uptake in human red blood cells, erythroid precursors and KB cells at high extracellular folate concentrations. Evidence against a role for specific folate-binding and transport proteins.

Membrane-associated folate (pteroylglutamate, PteGlu)-binding proteins (FBPs) play an important role as PteGlu-transport proteins in malignant and normal human cells. Since high extracellular folate (PteGlu) concentrations (EFC) profoundly influenced uptake and toxicity of the anti-PteGlu methotrexate in malignant KB cells, we studied human cells to determine additional mechanisms for PteGlu uptake when the EFC was varied. At low EFC (less than 10 nM), the predominant mechanism for folate uptake in mature erythrocytes was through binding to externally oriented FBPs which were quantitatively insignificant (4-6 orders of magnitude lower) and of no apparent physiological relevance when compared with KB cells. However, the predominant mechanism of PteGlu accumulation at high EFC [10-250 nM] in intact erythrocytes and sealed right-side-out (RSO) ghosts was not FBP-mediated and non-specific. This conclusion was based on the findings that radiolabelled PteGlu uptake: (i) continued even in the presence of a 1000-fold excess of unlabelled PteGlu and was linear and not saturable up to 250 nM; (ii) was two-fold higher at pH 4.5 than 7.5; (iii) was less than 2-fold increased at 37 degrees C compared with 4 degrees C; and (iv) was unaffected after trypsin-mediated proteolysis of greater than 75% FBPs. The [3H]PteGlu and 125I-PteGlu (histamine derivative) accumulated intracellularly through the non-specific PteGlu-uptake mechanism was unaltered biochemically and in a soluble compartment. Raising the EFC 500-fold higher than controls during erythropoiesis in vitro resulted in reversal of the expected anti-(placental folate-receptor)-antiserum-induced megaloblastic changes in orthochromatic normoblasts derived from burst-forming unit-erythroid colonies. Furthermore, at EFC greater than 0.1 microM, KB-cell accumulation of [3H]PteGlu was also predominantly through a mechanism that did not involve specific FBPs. Thus, at high EFC, a major component of PteGlu transport in human cells is not mediated through FBPs and is likely to be a passive diffusion process.