Cell cycle effects of the DNA topoisomerase inhibitors camptothecin and m-AMSA in lymphoblastoid cell lines from patients with Fanconi anemia

Patients with the autosomal recessive disorder Fanconi anemia (FA) present with progressive pancytopenia, skeletal abnormalities and a predisposition to leukemia. In addition to elevated rates of spontaneous chromosome aberrations occurring in cultured fibroblasts and lymphoblastoid cell lines, an increased susceptibility to DNA cross-linking agents and oxygen has been found. To explain this hypersensitivity to clastogenic agents a defective function of DNA topoisomerase I or II could be invoked, a suggestion which is supported by the co-localization of the DNA topoisomerase I gene and a putative FA gene to chromosome 20q. In order to investigate the function of DNA topoisomerases in FA, the sensitivity of lymphoid B-cell lines derived from FA patients and control cell lines to inhibitors of DNA topoisomerases I and II was compared using continuous bromodeoxyuridine labeling and bivariate Hoechst/ethidium bromide flow cytometry. Both agents inhibited cell proliferation mainly by arresting cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. However, no difference was found in sensitivity towards both DNA topoisomerase inhibitors between control and FA cell lines.     

CD10 and CD44 genes of leukemic cells and malignant cell lines show no evidence of transformation-related alterations.

The expression of CD10/CALLA is associated primarily with childhood leukemia of pre-B lymphocyte phenotype. We have compared the hybridization pattern of the CALLA gene from leukemic and normal cells digested with several restriction enzymes. No alterations were noticed with Eco RI, Sac I, Pvu II, Eco RV, Hind III, and Msp I. Since CALLA is also found on other malignancies, we analyzed DNA samples prepared from cell lines derived from leukemia, lymphoma, glioblastoma, retinoblastoma, and neuroblastoma. Normal restriction patterns were observed for all the lines regardless of their CALLA phenotype. Having demonstrated previously that CALLA was structurally identical to neutral endopeptidase 3.4.24.11 (NEP), we have now established a correlation between surface expression of CALLA and NEP activity on leukemia samples and on several cell lines. Malignant cells tested expressed a functionally active enzyme and no gross alteration was present in the CALLA gene. The CD44 gene is expressed on most cells of hemopoietic origin and on greater than 95% of cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloblastic leukemia studied. It is also expressed on normal astrocytes and on malignant cells of glioma/astrocytoma types. We now report that a similar pattern of hybridization was observed with Sac I, Pvu II, and Eco RI for leukemic samples, normal cells, and malignant cell lines. A polymorphism was recently detected for CD44 using Hind III; leukemic cells and malignant lines also showed this normal polymorphism. Thus no deletion or insertion could be detected in the CD44 gene of leukemic cells and malignant lines, suggesting that no gross DNA alterations were involved. The correlation between surface expression and enzymatic activity of CD10/CALLA and the expression of CD44 on a variety of malignant cells would suggest that the structure and function of these two gene products are probably not altered by the process of transformation.     

DNA ligase I mediates essential functions in mammalian cells.

DNA replication, repair, and recombination are essential processes in mammalian cells. Hence, the application of gene targeting to the study of these DNA metabolic pathways requires the creation of nonnull mutations. We have developed a method for introducing partially defective mutants in murine embryonic stem cells that circumvents the problem of cellular lethality of targeted mutations at essential loci. Using this approach, we have determined that mammalian DNA ligase I is essential for cell viability. Thus, DNA ligases II and III are not redundant with DNA ligase I for the function(s) associated with cell proliferation. Partial complementation of the lethal DNA ligase I null mutation allowed the creation of deficient embryonic stem cell lines. We found that a wild-type DNA ligase I cDNA, as well as a variant DNA ligase I cDNA, was able to rescue the lethality of the homozygous null mutation, whereas an N-terminal deletion mutant consisting of the minimal DNA ligase I catalytic domain was not. This observation demonstrates that sequences outside the DNA ligase I catalytic domain are essential for DNA ligase I function in vivo.     

Defective DNA topoisomerase II in ataxia-telangiectasia cells

A number of characteristics in the human genetic disorder ataxia-telangiectasia are compatible with an alteration to chromatin structure or the recognition of that structure by an enzyme or DNA binding protein. We describe here reduce activity of DNA topoisomerase type II in a number of Epstein Barr Virus-transformed ataxia-telangiectasia lymphoblastoid cell lines. Enzyme activity was reduced 10-fold or greater in 4 out of 5 cell lines compared to controls. In the remaining cell line approximately a 2-3 fold reduction was evident in partially purified extracts. DNA topoisomerase type I activity was found to be the same as controls in all the cell lines. Northern blot analysis revealed that the same level of DNA topoisomerase II mRNA was expressed in ataxia-telangiectasia and control cell lines. The size and amount of the enzyme did not differ appreciably from that observed in control cells. The reduced activity of DNA topoisomerase II in ataxia-telangiectasis cells might be explained by amino acid substitutions, small deletions in DNA or by a defect in post-translational modification in these cells.     

DNA polymerase III, a second essential DNA polymerase, is encoded by the S. cerevisiae CDC2 gene

Three nuclear DNA polymerases have been described in yeast: DNA polymerases I, II, and III. DNA polymerase I is encoded by the POL1 gene and is essential for DNA replication. Since the S. cerevisiae CDC2 gene has recently been shown to have DNA sequence similarity to the active site regions of other known DNA polymerases, but to nevertheless be different from DNA polymerase I, we examined cdc2 mutants for the presence of DNA polymerases II and III. DNA polymerase II was not affected by the cdc2 mutation. DNA polymerase III activity was significantly reduced in the cdc2-1 cell extracts. We conclude that the CDC2 gene encodes yeast DNA polymerase III and that DNA polymerase III, therefore, represents a second essential DNA polymerase in yeast.     

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in the absence of integrase-mediated dna recombination: definition of permissive and nonpermissive T-cell lines

Functional retroviral integrase protein is thought to be essential for productive viral replication. Yet, previous studies differed on the extent to which integrase mutant viruses expressed human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genes from unintegrated DNA. Although one reason for this difference was that class II integrase mutations pleiotropically affected the viral life cycle, another reason apparently depended on the identity of the infected cell. Here, we analyzed integrase mutant viral infectivities in a variety of cell types. Single-round infectivity of class I integration-specific mutant HIV-1 ranged from <0.03 to 0.3% of that of the wild type (WT) across four different T-cell lines. Based on this approximately 10-fold influence of cell type on mutant gene expression, we examined class I and class II mutant replication kinetics in seven different cell lines and two primary cell types. Unexpectedly, some cell lines supported productive class I mutant viral replication under conditions that restricted class II mutant growth. Cells were defined as permissive, semipermissive, or nonpermissive based on their ability to support the continual passage of class I integration-defective HIV-1. Mutant infectivity in semipermissive and permissive cells as quantified by 50% tissue culture infectious doses, however, was only 0.0006 to 0.005% of that of WT. Since the frequencies of mutant DNA recombination in these lines ranged from 0.023 to <0.093% of the WT, we conclude that productive replication in the absence of integrase function most likely required the illegitimate integration of HIV-1 into host chromosomes by cellular DNA recombination enzymes.     

A defect in DNA topoisomerase II activity in ataxia-telangiectasia cells

DNA topoisomerase type I and II activities were determined by serial dilution in nuclear extracts from control and ataxia-telangiectasia lymphoblastoid cells. Topoisomerase I activity, assayed by relaxation of supercoiled plasmid DNA, was found to be approximately the same in both cell types. In order to remove interference from topoisomerase I, the activity of topoisomerase II was measured by the unknotting of knotted P4 phage DNA in the presence of ATP. The activity of topoisomerase II was markedly reduced in two ataxia-telangiectasia cell lines, AT2ABR and AT8ABR, compared to controls. This reduction in activity was detected with increasing concentration of protein and in time course experiments at a single protein concentration. A third cell line, AT3ABR, did not have a detectably lower activity of topoisomerase II when assayed under these conditions. The difference in topoisomerase II activity in the ataxia-telangiectasia cell lines examined may reflect to some extent the heterogeneity observed in this syndrome.     

A pathogenic 15-base pair deletion in mitochondrial DNA-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit III results in the absence of functional cytochrome c oxidase

A 15-base pair, in-frame, deletion (9480del15) in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit III (COX III) gene was identified previously in a patient with recurrent episodes of myoglobinuria and an isolated COX deficiency. Transmitochondrial cell lines harboring 0, 97, and 100% of the 9480del15 deletion were created by fusing human cells lacking mtDNA (rho(0) cells) with platelet and lymphocyte fractions isolated from the patient. The COX III gene mutation resulted in a severe respiratory chain defect in all mutant cell lines. Cells homoplasmic for the mutation had no detectable COX activity or respiratory ATP synthesis, and required uridine and pyruvate supplementation for growth, a phenotype similar to rho(0) cells. The cells with 97% mutated mtDNA exhibited severe reductions in both COX activity (6% of wild-type levels) and rates of ATP synthesis (9% of wild-type). The COX III polypeptide in the mutant cells, although translated at rates similar to wild-type, had reduced stability. There was no evidence for assembly of COX I, COX II, or COX III subunits in a multisubunit complex in cells homoplasmic for the mutation, thus indicating that there was no stable assembly of COX I with COX II in the absence of wild-type COX III. In contrast, the COX I and COX II subunits were assembled in cells with 97% mutated mtDNA.     

A novel type of secondary modification of two CCGG residues in the human gamma delta beta-globin gene locus

The majority of the CCGG residues in the human gamma delta beta-globin gene locus are cleaved by Msp I, irrespective of the tissue of origin of the DNA, although these sites show differential sensitivity to Hap II as a result of methylation of the internal C residue of the cleavage site (ref 6). Two CCGG sites, at homologous positions 54 nucleotides in front of the G gamma- and A gamma-globin genes respectively, are not cleaved by Msp I in DNA from several human tissues, although DNA from placenta, foetal liver and from some established cell lines is cut at these sites. We have cloned the A gamma-globin gene from foetal blood DNA where the relevant CCGG site is not cut by Msp I. After cloning, the CCGG site can be cut by Msp I. The failure to cleave at this CCGG site in foetal blood DNA therefore, is not the result of a change in the DNA sequence of the cleavage site. Most likely the external C residue and perhaps both C residues are blocked by methylation at these two specific sites.     

Inhibition of SIRT1 catalytic activity increases p53 acetylation but does not alter cell survival following DNA damage

Human SIRT1 is an enzyme that deacetylates the p53 tumor suppressor protein and has been suggested to modulate p53-dependent functions including DNA damage-induced cell death. In this report, we used EX-527, a novel, potent, and specific small-molecule inhibitor of SIRT1 catalytic activity to examine the role of SIRT1 in p53 acetylation and cell survival after DNA damage. Treatment with EX-527 dramatically increased acetylation at lysine 382 of p53 after different types of DNA damage in primary human mammary epithelial cells and several cell lines. Significantly, inhibition of SIRT1 catalytic activity by EX-527 had no effect on cell growth, viability, or p53-controlled gene expression in cells treated with etoposide. Acetyl-p53 was also increased by the histone deacetylase (HDAC) class I/II inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA). EX-527 and TSA acted synergistically to increase acetyl-p53 levels, confirming that p53 acetylation is regulated by both SIRT1 and HDACs. While TSA alone reduced cell survival after DNA damage, the combination of EX-527 and TSA had no further effect on cell viability and growth. These results show that, although SIRT1 deacetylates p53, this does not play a role in cell survival following DNA damage in certain cell lines and primary human mammary epithelial cells.     

Synergistic interactions between tumor necrosis factor and inhibitors of DNA topoisomerase I and II

TNF is a pleiotropic cytokine that mediates diverse cellular responses, including cytotoxicity, cytostasis, proliferation, differentiation, and the expression of specific genes. Many of these processes require the activity of DNA topoisomerases I and II. We have investigated the interactions of TNF with inhibitors of both topoisomerases in 16-h assays using the murine L929 and human ME-180 cell lines, which undergo a cytotoxic TNF response. Camptothecin, a specific inhibitor of topoisomerase I, enhanced TNF cytotoxicity 150-fold against both cell lines. The topoisomerase II inhibitors VM-26 and VP-16, which stabilize covalent DNA-topoisomerase intermediates, greatly enhance TNF cytotoxicity against both cell lines. The most effective, VM-26, can lower the TNF LD50 to femtomolar levels. In contrast, the topoisomerase II inhibitors novobiocin and coumermycin, which bind to the enzyme ATPase site, protect L929 cells from TNF cytotoxicity but enhance TNF cytotoxicity in ME-180 cells. The large changes in TNF sensitivity induced by drug concentrations that by themselves show no effect, and the opposing synergistic effects of inhibitors with different inhibitory mechanisms (in L929 cells), suggest the active involvement of topoisomerases in TNF-mediated cytotoxicity. The correlation of cytotoxic synergy with the stabilization of DNA strand breaks indicates that DNA damage may play a significant role in TNF-mediated cytotoxicity.     

Overproduction of topoisomerase II in an ataxia telangiectasia fibroblast cell line: comparison with a topoisomerase II-overproducing hamster cell mutant.

Ataxia telangiectasia (AT) cell lines are characterised by their hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation and bleomycin, and their failure to inhibit DNA synthesis after DNA damage. A recent report [Singh et al. (1988) Nucl. Acids Res. 16, 3919-3929] indicated that a reduction in topoisomerase II (topo II) activity was a feature of AT lymphoblast cell lines. We have studied the possible role of DNA topoisomerases in determining the phenotype of an AT fibroblast cell line. AT5BIVA cells are sensitive to the topo II inhibitors etoposide (VP16) and amsacrine (m-AMSA), compared to normal human fibroblasts (MRC5-V1 and VA13). AT5BIVA cells express a 3-fold higher level of topo II protein than MRC5-V1 cells, and 6-fold higher than VA13. This is reflected in elevated topo II activity in AT5BIVA cells. Untransformed AT5BI cells also show elevated topo II activity compared to untransformed normal cells. The extent of overproduction of topo II in AT5BIVA cells is comparable with that seen in a mutant Chinese hamster cell line, ADR-1, which is similarly hypersensitive to both bleomycin and topo II inhibitors. However, ADR-1 cells show neither hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation nor abnormal inhibition of DNA synthesis following DNA damage. Topo II overproduction per se does not appear sufficient to generate an "AT-like" phenotype. AT5BIVA cells express a reduced level of topoisomerase I (topo I) and are hypersensitive to the topo I inhibitor, camptothecin. ADR-1 cells express a normal level of topo I, indicating that a reduction in the level of topo I is not the inevitable consequence of an elevation in topo II.     

DNA methylation controls the inducibility of the mouse metallothionein-I gene in lymphoid cells

The W7 mouse thymoma cell line does not express the metallothionein-I (MT-I) gene in the presence of either cadmium or glucocorticoids, unlike most other cell lines. This cell line was therefore used as a model system for studying the role of DNA methylation on MT-I gene expression. The extent of DNA methylation within the MT-I gene and its flanking regions was determined by comparing the cleavage patterns generated by the isoschizomeric restriction enzymes Hpa II and Msp I. In W7 cells, all of the Hpa II sites in the vicinity of the MT-I gene are methylated, whereas in cells that have an expressible MT-I gene (for example, Friend erythroleukemia cells) all of these Hpa II sites are unmethylated. When W7 cells are treated for a few hours with 5-azacytidine, the MT-I gene becomes inducible by both cadmium and glucocorticoids. Addition of hydroxyurea along with 5-azacytidine prevents MT-I gene induction, suggesting that incorporation of 5-azacytidine into DNA is required before this gene can be activated. To determine whether 5-azacytidine treatment changes the methylation pattern near the MT-I gene, we treated W7 cells with 5-azacytidine and selected inducible cells in 10 μM cadmium. All of the Hpa II sites within the MT-I gene are unmethylated in these cadmium-resistant W7 cells. In addition, flanking DNA sequences are also undermethylated in a pattern similar to that seen in Friend erythroleukemia cells that express the MT-I gene. The possible significance of methylation as a mechanism of gene commitment during cell differentiation is discussed.     

Diversity and rearrangement of the human T cell rearranging gamma genes: nine germ-line variable genes belonging to two subgroups

We describe nine T cell gamma variable (V) gene segments isolated from human DNA. These genes, which fall into two subgroups, are mapped in two DNA regions covering 54 kb and probably represent the majority of human V gamma genes. One subgroup (V gamma I) contains eight genes, consisting of four active genes and four pseudogenes. The single V gamma II gene is potentially active. Sequence analysis of the V gamma I genes shows variation clustered in hypervariable regions, but somatic variability is restricted to N-region diversity. Studies on rearrangement in T cell lines and in thymic DNA show that major rearrangements can be observed that are attributable to the five active V gamma genes. In addition, human cells with the phenotype of helper T cells can undergo productive V gamma-J gamma joining.