Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) analogues, the inhibitors for polyamine biosynthetic pathway

Metabolic and antiproliferative effects of methylglyoxal bis(butylamidinohydrazone) (MGBB) and methylglyoxal bis(cyclopentylamidinohydrazone) (MGBCP), inhibitors for polyamine biosynthetic pathway, on Escherichia coli, Shigella sonnei, Aeromonas sobria, Aeromonas hydrophila and Vibrio cholerae were investigated. MGBB at the concentration of 100 μmol/1 depleted intracellular putrescine and spermidine concentrations of E. coli to 25 and 20% of the controls, respectively, while MGBCP depressed their concentrations to 38 and 24%, respectively. In these polyamine-depleted E. coli cells the syntheses of RNA, DNA and protein decreased to 13, 54 and 29% of the control, respectively, with MGBB and to 23, 71 and 55%, respectively, with MGBCP. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of MGBB for the growth of A. sobria, E. coli, A. hydrophila, V. cholerae and Sh. sonnei were estimated to be 50, 160, 240, 285 and 320 μmol/1, respectively, whereas those of MGBCP were slightly higher for respective bacteria.     

Effects of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) and two phenylated analogues on S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity from Eimeria stiedai (Apicomplexa)

1. Activity of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, one of the rate-limiting enzymes of polyamine biosynthesis, was determined in oocysts of Eimeria stiedai, a coccidian parasite of the rabbit. 2. Several properties of the enzyme were compared to the mammalian enzyme. It showed considerably less substrate affinity than the analog enzyme from the rabbit. 3. The E. stiedai enzyme showed a low sensitivity to methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), a frequently used inhibitor of the enzyme in mammals, and two phenylated derivatives. 4. Results with the inhibitors are discussed in view of their potential use in chemotherapy.     

Spermidine and methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) affect maturation and endogenous polyamine content of Scots pine embryogenic cultures

Exogenous spermidine (Spd) and methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG), a putative inhibitor of Spd synthesis, improved somatic embryo formation of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). The induced maturation due to MGBG and Spd was accompanied by significantly retarded proliferation growth and by reduction in the concentration of free polyamines compared to the control cultures. The action of MGBG revealed that it has a non-specific effect on the whole polyamine metabolism of Scots pine. Furthermore, at certain concentrations it may induce plant differentiation as well.     

Thermosensitization by methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) in Chinese hamster cells

The modification of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) by 42 degrees C hyperthermia-and/or radiation-induced cell killing was examined in Chinese hamster V-79 cells. At concentrations of more than 10 microM, cell survival decreased exponentially with increased MGBG exposure times. Cell lethality of MGBG (10 microM) was not specific for cell-cycle phases tested from G1/S through G2. When cells were treated with MGBG (10 microM) for 6 hr and then exposed to 42 degrees C hyperthermia with or without a 24-hr interval, cell survival decreased markedly compared with that for 42 degrees C alone. Cells became thermosensitive after MGBG treatment. Cells exposed to MGBG (10 microM) for 6 hr before or after X irradiation were slightly radiosensitive. When X irradiation was combined with MGBG and 42 degrees C hyperthermia, cells became more radiosensitive. From these results, it is suggested that MGBG may change the intracellular state to sensitize cells to the cytotoxic action(s) of hyperthermia.     

Effect of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) on polyamine metabolism in normal and regenerating rat liver and rat thymus

1. Injections of sublethal doses of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), a potent inhibitor of putrescine-activated S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase in vitro, resulted after a few days in an immense increase in the activity of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase in normal and regenerating rat liver and in rat thymus. The increase in the activity of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase was at least partly due to a marked lengthening of the half-life of the enzyme. 2. In regenerating liver and thymus there was also a moderate stimulation of the activity of ornithine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17) and a marked accumulation of tissue putrescine. 3. Injection of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) into the rat also markedly decreased the activity of diamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.6) in thymus. 4. In no cases where doses of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) close to the LD(50) dose for the rat were used was it possible to lower tissue spermidine content to any significant extent. 5. Methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) seemed to act as a competitive inhibitor for the substrate S-adenosylmethionine and as an uncompetitive inhibitor for the activator putrescine in the decarboxylation of S-adenosylmethionine in vitro. 6. In the diamine oxidase reaction, with putrescine as the substrate, methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) was a non-competitive inhibitor for putrescine.     

Effects of DL-alpha-difluoromethylornithine, 4-deoxypyridoxine and methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) on allograft prolongation

DL-alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), 4-deoxypyridoxine (4-DOP), and methylglyoxal bis (guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) were tested as inhibitors of acute skin graft rejection. Proximal full thickness tail skins were exchanged between C57BL/6 and Balb/C mice. Distal autografts were placed to monitor healing. Inhibitors were given singly or in combination, either orally or by injection, in various schedules to 10 groups of mice. Compared to controls, singly treated mice had significant mean prolongation of allografts ranging from 126% to 141%. Likewise, DFMO plus MGBG extended mean time of complete rejection ranging from 172% to 206%. Autografts remained intact. Some grafts persisted after discontinued immunosuppression. Complete rejection was preceded by a decline in vascularity of the graft bed and/or gradual replacement by host tissue. Graft protection in such stringent circumstances i.e., the use of skin in strains with complete histoincompatibility at the H-2 MHC loci, clearly indicate the anti-rejection effects of polyamine synthesis inhibitors. Moreover, primary and secondary effects of DFMO establish the critical role of polyamine pathway activation in acute rejection. In doses and schedules used, toxicity was encountered when DFMO and 4-DOP were used in combination and when increased amounts of MGBG were administered.     

Inhibition of DNA synthesis by methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) during lymphocyte transformation

The phytohemagglutinin induced DNA synthesis in guinea pig lymph node cells was inhibited remarkably by methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone). This inhibitory effect was dependent on the time of its addition to the lymph node cell culture after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin. If methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) was added 48 hr after the stimulation, no inhibition of DNA synthesis was observed. Exogenous spermidine added at an early time of cell culture reversed the inhibitory effect of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone). However, no reversion occurred when spermidine was added at a late time of the cell culture.     

Methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) elimination of polyamine effects on protein synthesis

The effect of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG), a structural analog of polyamines, on protein synthesis has been studied in the presence and absence of spermidine. The spermidine stimulation of polyphenylalanine- and MS2 RNA-directed RNA replicase synthesis in an Escherichia coli cell-free system and of globin synthesis in a rabbit reticulocyte cell-free system disappeared with the addition of MGBG. The spermidine reduction of misincorporation of leucine during polyphenylalanine synthesis in both E. coli and wheat germ cell-free systems was also disturbed by MGBG. MGBG noncompetitively interfered with polyamine stimulation of polyphenylalanine and globin synthesis, suggesting that MGBG could bind to both RNA and the complex of RNA and polyamine. MGBG was preferentially bound to ribosomal RNA among ribosomal RNA, poly(U), and calf thymus DNA, and strongly inhibited the amount of polyamine bound to ribosomal RNA. These results suggest that MGBG elimination of polyamine effects on protein synthesis may occur through the disturbance of polyamine binding to ribosomal RNA.     

Effects of phenylated compounds of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) on diamine oxidase activity from rat small intestine

Two phenylated compounds of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), potentially inhibitors of diamine oxidase activity, have been synthesized: phenylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) and diphenylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone). Their inhibitory capacity was tested: while PGBG was able to reduce the enzyme activity by 50% at 1.3 microM, DPGBG was only able to reduce diamine oxidase activity by less than 2% at a concentration 1000-fold higher. The inhibition of PGBG was non-competitive and the Ki calculated by a Dixon plot was estimated as 1.7 microM.     

Induction of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase by methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone)

The anti-tumor agent methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) was found to be a competitive inhibitor of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase with a Ki of about 8 microM. Treatment of rats with this drug lead to a very large increase in the total amount of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase in liver, kidney and spleen. The total increase as measured using a specific antiserum amounted to 700-fold in liver and 100-fold in kidney within 18 h of treatment with 80 mg/kg doses. At least part of this induction was due to a pronounced increase in the half-life of the acetyltransferase which increased from 15 min to more than 12 h. The very large increase in the amount of the enzyme is likely to overwhelm the direct inhibition, and a net increase in the acetylation of polyamines by this enzyme would be expected to occur after treatment with methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone). The acetylated polyamines are known to be rapidly degraded by polyamine oxidase producing putrescine. Direct evidence that a substantial part of the increase in the content of putrescine in the liver of rats treated with methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) occurs via the induction of this acetylase/oxidase pathway was obtained. These results indicate that methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) affects cellular polyamine levels not only by means of its inhibitory effect on S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and diamine oxidase but also by the induction of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase. They also raise the possibility that the enormous increase in this enzyme which occurs with higher doses may contribute to the very severe toxicity of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone).     

Stimulation of ornithine decarboxylase activity and inhibition of S-adenosyl-l-methionine decarboxylase activity in leukaemic mice by methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (Short Communication)

Administration of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) to leukaemic mice results in an early depression followed by a marked elevation of S-adenosyl-l-methionine decarboxylase activity. Further, there is an early prolonged increase in the activity of ornithine decarboxylase, the initial enzyme in the polyamine biosynthetic pathway. Because of the profound effects of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) in vivo on the polyamine biosynthetic pathway, the drug can no longer be considered a specific inhibitor of spermidine synthesis.     

Effects of polyamines and methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) on hepatic nuclear structure and deoxyribonucleic acid template activity.

1. The interaction of polyamines and methylglyoxal bis(guanythydrazone) (1, 1'-[(methylethanediylidene)-dinitrilo]diguanidine) with isolated rat liver nuclei was investigated by electron microscopy. 2. At 4mM, putrescine was without effect; however, spermidine, spermine or methylglyoxal bis(guanythydrazone) resulted in dispersed chromatin and alterations in nucleolar structure. In addition, spermidine or methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) caused marked aggregation of interchromatin granules. 3. The DNA template property of calf thymus DNA was examined by using DNA polymerases from Escherichia coli, Micrococcus lysodeikticus and calf thymus in the presence of 0-5 mM-amine. 4. In the presence of DNA polymerase, spermine or methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) inhibited activity, whereas putrescine or spermidine had much less effect or in some cases stimulated [3H]dTMP incorporation. 5. Template activity which was inhibited by spermine or methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) could be partially restored by additional DNA or enzyme. 6. When mixed with calf thymus DNA, calf thymus histone inhibited template activity as measured with E. coli DNA polymerase. The template activity of such a 'histone-nucleate' could not be restored by putrescine, spermidine, spermine or methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone). 7. DNA template activity of isolated rat liver nuclei was tested by using E. coli DNA polymerase. None of the amines was able to increase the template activity of the nuclear DNA in vitro.     

Inhibition of spermidine formation in rat liver and kidney by methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone)

The effect of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), a substance known to inhibit putrescine-dependent S-adenosyl-l-methionine decarboxylase, on polyamine metabolism in liver and kidney was investigated. Almost complete inhibition of the incorporation of putrescine into spermidine was obtained up to 8h after administration of 80mg of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone)/kg body wt. by intraperitoneal injection. However, by 20h after administration of the inhibitor spermidine synthesis was resumed. Considerable accumulation of putrescine occurred during this period (up to 3 times control concentrations in both tissues), but there was only a slight fall in the spermidine content. These results suggest that the putrescine-activated S-adenosyl-l-methionine decarboxylase plays an essential role in spermidine biosynthesis in rat liver and kidney, and the possibility of using methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) to study the role of polyamine synthesis in growth is discussed.     

Effects of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) on tumour and skin responses to hyperthermia in mice

Effects of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) on tumour and skin responses to hyperthermia (42 degrees C) were examined in C3H mice. MGBG (50 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to mice 4 hours before hyperthermic treatment. The tumour (FM3A) growth time was elongated by an amount dependent on the exposure time of treatment at 42 degrees C (60, 90 and 120 min). Pre-treatment of mice with MGBG (50 mg/kg, i.p.) apparently further lengthened the tumour growth time after treatment at 42 degrees C. No significant damage of foot skin was caused by 42 degrees C hyperthermia. Pre-treatment with MGBG did not make the foot skin susceptible to the heating. From these findings, it can be considered that MGBG or related less-toxic compounds may have a clinical advantage for the mild (42 degrees C) hyperthermic treatment in cancer therapy.     

Specific inhibition of the enzymic decarboxylation of S-adenosylmethionine by methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) and related substances

Methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) {1,1'-[(methylethanediylidene)-dinitrilo]diguanidine} is a very potent inhibitor of putrescine-activated S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylases from many different mammalian tissues, including sublines of mouse L1210 leukaemia that are resistant to the drug as well as sublines that are sensitive. The inhibition of purified rat ventral prostate S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase is competitive with respect to the S-adenosylmethionine substrate, and is much greater in the presence than in the absence of the activator putrescine. Inhibition by the drug depends, among other things, on the nature of the aliphatic amines that can serve as stimulators of rat prostate S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase. Effects of some congeners of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) on the enzyme are described.