Antitumor effects of MutT homolog 1 inhibitors in human bladder cancer cells

ABSTRACT

As standard second-line regimen has not been established for patients who are refractory to or relapse with cisplatin-based chemotherapy, an effective class of novel chemotherapeutic agents is needed for cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer. Recent publications reported that MutT homolog 1 (MTH1) inhibitors suppress tumor growth and induce impressive therapeutic responses in a variety of human cancer cells. Few studies investigated the cytotoxic effects of MTH1 inhibitors in human bladder cancer. Accordingly, we investigated the antitumor effects and the possible molecular mechanisms of MTH1 inhibitors in cisplatin-sensitive (T24) and – resistant (T24R2) human bladder cancer cell lines. These results suggest that TH588 or TH287 may induce cancer cell suppression by off-target effects such as alterations in the expression of apoptosis- and cell cycle-related proteins rather than MTH1 inhibition in cisplatin-sensitive and – resistant bladder cancer cells.

Abbreviations: MTH: MutT homolog; ROS: reactive oxygen species; CCK-8: cell counting kit-8; DCFH-DA: dichlorofluorescein diacetate; PARP: poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase     

8-Chloro-dGTP, a hypochlorous acid-modified nucleotide, is hydrolyzed by hMTH1, the human MutT homolog

The human mutT homolog, hMTH1, suppresses spontaneous mutations by degrading the endogeneous mutagen, 8-hydroxy-dGTP. We previously reported the broad substrate specificity of hMTH1, which also degrades the oxidatively damaged purine nucleotides, 2-hydroxy-dATP, 8-hydroxy-dATP, 2-hydroxy-ATP, and 8-hydroxy-GTP, in addition to 8-hydroxy-dGTP. In this paper, we describe the hMTH1 activity for 8-chloro-dGTP, which could be formed in inflamed tissue by the reaction of dGTP with hypochlorous acid, a product of myeloperoxidase from activated human neutrophils. The hMTH1 protein was mixed with 1-20 microM of 8-chloro-dGTP and 8-hydroxy-dGTP, and the reaction products were quantified by anion-exchange HPLC to measure the pyrophosphatase reaction rate. The kinetic parameters revealed that 8-chloro-dGTP was degraded by hMTH1 with 50% efficiency as compared with that of 8-hydroxy-dGTP. This result suggests that 8-chloro-dGTP is an intrinsic substrate for hMTH1.     

Molecular biology and genetics of Alzheimer's disease

Like several other adult onset neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease is a multifactorial illness with both genetic and non-genetic causes. Recent genetic studies have identified four genes associated with inherited risk for AD (presenilin 1, presenilin 2, amyloid precursor protein, and apolipoprotein E). These genes account for about half of the total genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease. It is suspected that several other Alzheimer's disease-susceptibility genes exist, and their identification is the subject of ongoing research. Nevertheless, biological studies on the effects of mutations in the four known genes has led to the conclusion that all of these genes cause dysregulation of amyloid precursor protein processing and in particular dysregulation of the handling of a proteolytic derivative termed Abeta. The accumulation of Abeta appears to be an early and initiating event that triggers a series of downstream processes including misprocessing of the tau protein. This cascade ultimately causes neuronal dysfunction and death, and leads to the clinical and pathological features of Alzheimer's disease. Knowledge of this biochemical cascade now provides several potential targets for the development of diagnostics and therapeutics.     

Functional significance of the conserved residues for the 23-residue module among MTH1 and MutT family proteins

Human MTH1 and Escherichia coli MutT proteins hydrolyze 7, 8-dihydro-8-oxo-dGTP (8-oxo-dGTP) to monophosphate, thus avoiding the incorporation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine into nascent DNA. Although only 30 amino acid residues (23%) are identical between MTH1 and MutT, there is a highly conserved region consisting of 23 residues (MTH1, Gly(36)-Gly(58)) with 14 identical residues. A chimeric protein MTH1-Ec, in which the 23-residue sequence of MTH1 was replaced with that of MutT, retains its capability to hydrolyze 8-oxo-dGTP, thereby indicating that the 23-residue sequences of MTH1 and MutT are functionally and structurally equivalent and constitute functional modules. By saturation mutagenesis of the module in MTH1, 14 of the 23 residues proved to be essential to exert 8-oxo-dGTPase activity. For the other 9 residues (40, 42, 44, 46, 47, 49, 50, 54, and 58), positive mutants were obtained, and Arg(50) can be replaced with hydrophobic residues (Val, Leu, or Ile), with a greater stability and higher specific activity of the enzyme. Indispensabilities of Val(39), Ile(45), and Leu(53) indicate that an amphipathic property of alpha-helix I consisting of 14 residues of the module (Thr(44)-Gly(58)) is essential to maintain the stable catalytic surface for 8-oxo-dGTPase.     

DISC1 genetics, biology and psychiatric illness

Psychiatric disorders are highly heritable, and in many individuals likely arise from the combined effects of genes and the environment. A substantial body of evidence points toward DISC1 being one of the genes that influence risk of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression, and functional studies of DISC1 consequently have the potential to reveal much about the pathways that lead to major mental illness. Here, we review the evidence that DISC1 influences disease risk through effects upon multiple critical pathways in the developing and adult brain.     

Molecular biology, genetics and regulation of nitrite reduction in higher plants

Nitrite reductase (ferredoxin:nitrite oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.6.1) carries out the six-electron reduction of nitrite to ammonium ions in the chloroplasts/plastids of higher plants. The complete or partial nucleotide sequences of a number of nitrite reductase apoprotein genes or cDNAs have been determined. Deduced amino acid sequence comparisons have identified conserved regions, one of which probably is involved in binding the sirohaem/4Fe4S centre and another in binding the electron donor, reduced ferredoxin. The nitrite reductase apoprotein is encoded by the nuclear DNA and is synthesised as a precursor carrying an N-terminal extension, the transit peptide, which acts to target the protein to, and within, the chloroplast/plastid. In those plants examined the number of nitrite reductase apoprotein genes per haploid genome ranges from one (barley, spinach) to four ( Nicotiana tabacum ). Mutants defective in the nitrite reductase apoprotein gene have been isolated in barley. During plastidogenesis in etiolated plants, synthesis of nitrite reductase is regulated by nitrate, light (phytochrome), and an uncharacterised 'plastidic factor' produced by functional chloroplasts. In leaves of green, white-light-grown plants up-regulation of nitrite reductase synthesis is achieved via nitrate and light and down-regulation by a nitrogenous end-product of nitrate assimilation, perhaps glutamine. A role for phytochrome has not been demonstrated in green, light-grown plants. Light regulation of nitrite reductase genes is related more closely to that of photosynthetic genes than to the nitrate reductase gene. In roots of green, white-light-grown plants nitrate alone is able to bring about synthesis of nitrite reductase, suggesting that the root may possess a mechanism that compensates for the light requirement seen in the leaf.     

Molecular genetics and structural genomics of the human protein kinase C gene module

Background  

Protein kinase C (PKC) has become a major focus among cell biologists interested in second-messenger signal transduction and much has been learned about differences in the cellular localization and function of its different isotypes. In this study we systematically address the genomic locations and gene structures of the human PKC gene module.     

Molecular genetics of human cognition

Our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of human cognition has been greatly aided by the convergent synergy of clinical, genetic, and signaling research. By identifying the mutated genes that give rise to syndromes of mental retardation or cognitive defects in patients, and by placing the associated gene products within signaling networks, researchers are piecing together how learning occurs and how memories are formed and sustained.     

Molecular biology of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1

The immunodeficiency virus type 1 is a complex retrovirus. In addition to genes that specify the proteins of the virus particle and the replicative enzymes common to all retroviruses, HIV-1 specifies at least six additional proteins that regulate the virus life cycle. Two of these regulatory genes, tat and rev, specify proteins essential for replication. These proteins bind to specific sequences of newly synthesized virus RNA and profoundly affect virus protein expression. Tat and rev appear to be prototypes of novel eukaryotic regulatory proteins. These two genes may play a central role in regulating the rate of virus replication. Three other viral genes, vif, vpu, and vpr, affect the assembly and replication capacity of newly made virus particles. These genes may play a critical role in spread of the virus from tissue to tissue and from person to person. Our understanding of the contribution of each of the virus structural proteins and regulatory genes to the complex life cycle of the virus in natural infections is incomplete. However, enough insight has been gained into the structure and function of each of these components to provide a firm basis for rational antiviral drug development.     

Improving human forensics through advances in genetics, genomics and molecular biology

Forensic DNA profiling currently allows the identification of persons already known to investigating authorities. Recent advances have produced new types of genetic markers with the potential to overcome some important limitations of current DNA profiling methods. Moreover, other developments are enabling completely new kinds of forensically relevant information to be extracted from biological samples. These include new molecular approaches for finding individuals previously unknown to investigators, and new molecular methods to support links between forensic sample donors and criminal acts. Such advances in genetics, genomics and molecular biology are likely to improve human forensic case work in the near future.     

Molecular biology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: insights from genetics

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a paralytic disorder caused by motor neuron degeneration. Mutations in more than 50 human genes cause diverse types of motor neuron pathology. Moreover, defects in five Mendelian genes lead to motor neuron disease, with two mutations reproducing the ALS phenotype. Analyses of these genetic effects have generated new insights into the diverse molecular pathways involved in ALS pathogenesis. Here, we present an overview of the mechanisms for motor neuron death and of the role of non-neuronal cells in ALS.     

Molecular genetics of human multiple myeloma

Molecular methods of defining gene rearrangements and DNA alterations that effect gene expression offer additional insights into malignant transformation of lymphoid cells. The highly clonal nature of myeloma is revealed by characterization of the unique Ig and TcR rearrangements. Whereas detection by DNA blot hybridization requires 2–5% clonality, more recent methods of DNA analysis, such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), can now increase the sensitivity of detection by several orders of magnitude. With improvement in therapies to treat myeloma, the issue of detection of minimal residual disease may be an important consideration in clinical management of the disease. The unique combinations of immunoglobulin gene segments and additional nucleotide alterations at junctional regions can be determined, and DNA probes can be synthesized that are clone-specific (Figure 1). By combining PCR amplification with detection methods employing clone-specific probes, significant improvements in disease detection are possible. As we begin to understand the functional consequences of genetic alterations associated with growth promoting genes such as the oncogenes myc and ras, and their role in myeloma, more promising therapies may be devised.