Cytotoxicity and apoptosis of benzoquinones: redox cycling,cytochrome c release,and BAD protein expression

The metabolic activation of a variety of quinone-based anticancer agents occurs, in part, as a result of the bioreductive activation by the flavoprotein NAD(P)H:quinone-acceptor oxidoreductase (NQO1) (EC 1.6.99.2). Using the COMPARE algorithm (http://dtp.nci.nih.gov), a significant statistical correlation has been found in the NCI in vitro anticancer drug screen between high endogenous expression of the pro-apoptotic protein BAD, NQO1 enzymatic activity, and the cytotoxicity of certain antitumor quinones. Two statistically correlated groups of quinones can be discerned: positive-correlated compounds, which are more active in cell lines expressing high baseline levels of BAD protein and NQO1 activity (e.g. the MCF-7 breast carcinoma), and negative-correlated compounds, which are more active in cell lines with undetectable levels of BAD and NQO1 activity (e.g. the HL-60 myeloid leukemia). In the present study, the relationship between quinone structure, redox cycling, and cytotoxicity in the MCF-7 and HL-60 cell lines was investigated. A good biological correlation exists between cytotoxicity and NQO1 activity, BAD protein levels and apoptosis, but not always between cytotoxicity and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. The overall markedly increased cytotoxicity of the aziridinylbenzoquinone compounds used in this study is accompanied by apoptosis, which occurs mostly through a cytochrome c-independent pathway.     

Effector coupling of stably transfected human A3 adenosine receptors in CHO cells

CHO cells stably transfected with adenosine receptors are widely utilized models for binding and functional studies. The effector coupling of human A3 adenosine receptors expressed in such a cellular model was characterized. Inhibition of adenylyl cyclase via a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein was confirmed and exhibited a pharmacological profile in accordance with agonist binding data. The agonist potency was dependent on the assay system utilized to measure cyclase inhibition. Agonists were more potent in a cell-based assay than in experiments where cyclase inhibition was measured in a membrane preparation suggesting that receptor-effector coupling might be more efficient in intact cells. In addition to the modulation of cyclase activity, stimulation of A3 receptors elicited a Ca2+ response in CHO cells with agonist potencies corresponding to the values for the whole cell cAMP assay. The Ca2+ signal was completely eliminated by pertussis toxin treatment suggesting that it is mediated via betagamma release from a heterotrimeric G protein of the Gi/o family. These results show that cAMP and Ca2+ signaling characteristics of the A3 adenosine receptor are comparable to the ones found for the A1 subtype.     

DNA damage and cytotoxicity in pancreatic beta-cells expressing human CYP2E1

Epidemiological studies have identified nitrosamines as a risk factor for Type I (insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus. These compounds require bioactivation by cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) for exertion of their toxic effects. Two mammalian insulin secreting pancreatic beta-cell lines BRIN BD11h2E1 and INS-1h2E1, which express human full length CYP2E1 cDNA, were used to elucidate the role of CYP2E1-mediated nitrosamine bioactivation in pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction and destruction. These cell lines were shown to metabolise dimethylnitrosamine to produce formaldehyde at rates of 3.41 +/- 0.24 and 3.65 +/- 0.26 nmol/minmg microsomal protein, respectively. Following incubation with various concentrations of the nitrosamines dimethylnitrosamine, N-nitrosopyrrolidine and 1-nitrospiperidine, all of which are bioactivated by CYP2E1, cytotoxicity and DNA damage were assessed using either the neutral red assay or comet assay respectively. Exposure of CYP2E1 expressing cells to nitrosamines resulted in significant dose-dependent decreases in cell viability, which were not seen in cells which did not express CYP2E1. Following culture with nitrosamine concentrations as low as 2.5mM 1-nitrosopiperidine, cell viability was significantly lower in BRIN BD11h2E1 and INS-1h2E1 cell lines in comparison to the BRIN BD11 and INS-1 parental cell lines (72.5 +/- 4.96 and 66.4 +/- 3.09% in BRIN BD11h2E1 and INS-1h2E1 versus 109.0 +/- 3.40 and 100.0 +/- 3.25% in BRIN BD11 and INS-1 respectively, P < 0.001). The highest dose of any of the nitrosamines tested failed to significantly reduce cell viability in the cells which lacked CYP2E1. Expression of CYP2E1 did not cause any change in the basal level of DNA damage in any of the cell lines. However, 16 h exposure to various nitrosamines resulted in significant dose-dependent DNA damage in the BRIN BD11h2E1 and INS-1h2E1 cells compared to their respective non CYP2E1-expressing parental controls, e.g. DNA damage increased from 34.38 +/- 1.25 to 44.01 +/- 1.56% DNA in comet tail in BRIN BD11h2E1 cells incubated with 10 or 40 mM N-nitrosopyrrolidine, respectively (P < 0.001). Similar treatment of the BRIN BD11 and INS-1 cell lines did not result in a significant increase in DNA damage (20.33 +/- 1.0 and 22.4 +/- 0.98% DNA in comet tail). The pancreatic beta-cell is richly vascularised and expresses CYP2E1. This study suggests that expression of human CYP2E1 in pancreatic beta-cells make them highly susceptible to cytotoxicity and DNA damage by nitrosamines and other agents bioactivated by CYP2E1.     

Novel effect of carvedilol on Ca2+ movement in renal tubular cells

The effect of carvedilol on intracellular free Ca(2+) levels ([Ca(2+)](i)) has not been explored previously. This study was aimed to examine the effect of carvedilol on Ca(2+) handling in renal tubular cells. Madin-Darby canine kidney cells were used as a model for renal tubular cells and fura-2 was used as a fluorescent Ca(2+) probe. Carvedilol increased [Ca(2+)](i) in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC(50) value of 5 microM. Extracellular Ca(2+) removal partly inhibited the [Ca(2+)](i) signals. Carvedilol-induced Ca(2+) influx was verified by measuring Mn(2+)-induced quench of fura-2 fluorescence. Carvedilol-induced store Ca(2+) release was reduced by pretreatment with 1 microM thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) pump inhibitor) but not with 5 microM ryanodine or 2 microM carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (a mitochondrial uncoupler). Carvedilol (30 microM)-induced Ca(2+) release was not affected by inhibiting phospholipase C with 1-(6-((17beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-l)amino)hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U73122; 2 microM), but was potentiated by increasing cAMP levels or inhibiting protein kinase C. The carvedilol-induced Ca(2+) mobilization was not significantly sequestered by the endoplasmic reticulum or mitochondria. This study shows that carvedilol increased [Ca(2+)](i) in renal tubular cells by causing Ca(2+) release from the endoplasmic reticulum and other unknown stores in an inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate-independent manner, and by inducing Ca(2+) influx. The Ca(2+) release was modulated by cAMP and protein kinase C.     

Acetaminophen alters microsomal ryanodine Ca2+ channel in HepG2 cells overexpressing CYP2E1

Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity is mediated by an initial metabolic activation and covalent binding of drug metabolites to liver proteins. Acetaminophen metabolites have been shown to affect rat liver microsomal Ca2+ stores, but the mechanism is not well understood. The aim of the current work was to find out if the metabolism of acetaminophen by CYP2E1 affects ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ stores in the endoplasmic reticulum of transduced HepG2 cells. Five millimoles acetaminophen decreased proliferation of CYP2E1-overexpressing HepG2 cells, increased cytosolic Ca2+ levels and produced significant cytotoxicity, while only little, mostly anti-proliferative effects were found in HepG2 cells lacking CYP2E1. CYP2E1 inhibitor-4-methylpyrazole decreased drug cytotoxicity in transduced cells and normalized elevated Ca2+ levels. Acetaminophen cytotoxicity was significantly higher in CYP2E1 expressing cells with depleted glutathione. In the cells engineered to overexpress CYP2E1, an increased [3H]ryanodine affinity (by 45%) and increased ligand maximal binding to ryanodine receptors (by 64%) was observed, most probably due to increased association rate of [3H]ryanodine. Ca2+ loading was decreased by about 53% in microsomal fractions isolated from transduced cells treated with acetaminophen and by 92% in glutathione depleted transfected cells treated with the drug. Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase activity was unchanged in all microsomal fractions. Such effects were not observed in cells lacking CYP2E1. Our results confirm significant role of CYP2E1 in metabolic activation of acetaminophen and indicate that ryanodine receptors located in the liver endoplasmic reticulum are sensitive targets for acetaminophen metabolites.     

A rapid and transient ROS generation by cadmium triggers apoptosis via caspase-dependent pathway in HepG2 cells and this is inhibited through N-acetylcysteine-mediated catalase upregulation

Although reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in cadmium (Cd)-induced hepatotoxicity, the role of ROS in this pathway remains unclear. Therefore, we attempted to determine the molecular mechanisms relevant to Cd-induced cell death in HepG2 cells. Cd was found to induce apoptosis in the HepG2 cells in a time- and dose-dependent fashion, as confirmed by DNA fragmentation analysis and TUNEL staining. In the early stages, both rapid and transient ROS generation triggered apoptosis via Fas activation and subsequent caspase-8-dependent Bid cleavage, as well as by calpain-mediated mitochondrial Bax cleavage. The timing of Bid activation was coincided with the timing at which the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MMP) collapsed as well as the cytochrome c (Cyt c) released into the cytosol. Furthermore, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore inhibitors, such as cyclosporin A (CsA) and bongkrekic acid (BA), did not block Cd-induced ROS generation, MMP collapse and Cyt c release. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) pretreatment resulted in the complete inhibition of the Cd-induced apoptosis via catalase upregulation and subsequent Fas downregulation. NAC treatment also completely blocked the Cd-induced intracellular ROS generation, MMP collapse and Cyt c release, indicating that Cd-induced mitochondrial dysfunction may be regulated indirectly by ROS-mediated signaling pathway. Taken together, a rapid and transient ROS generation by Cd triggers apoptosis via caspase-dependent pathway and subsequent mitochondrial pathway. NAC inhibits Cd-induced apoptosis through the blocking of ROS generation as well as the catalase upregulation.     

Reactive oxygen species-mediated induction of apoptosis by a plant alkaloid 6-methoxydihydrosanguinarine in HepG2 cells

We have found in the previous study that 6-methoxydihydrosanguinarine (6ME), a benzophenanthridine alkaloid isolated from Hylomecon species, may have potential as a chemotherapeutic agent. However, the mechanisms of 6ME-induced cell death have not been investigated. The purpose of the present study was to determine the apoptosis-inducing potential of 6ME in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells and the role of reactive oxygen species in 6ME-induced apoptosis. It can be concluded from the results that 6ME inhibits the growth of HepG2 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (IC50=3.8+/-0.2 microM following 6 h incubation). Treatment of HepG2 cells with 6ME resulted in the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c followed by the activation of caspase proteases, and subsequent proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. 6ME increased the expression of p53 and bax and decreased the expression of bcl-2. The cytotoxic effect of 6ME is mediated by the time-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species. Our results also show that preincubation of HepG2 cells with vitamin C decreased the expression of p53 and bax and inhibited the release of cytochrome c, activation of downstream caspase and the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, thus inhibiting the apoptosis inducing effect of 6ME.     

Stereoselectivity in metabolism of ifosfamide by CYP3A4 and CYP2B6

The aim was to identify the hepatic cytochromes P450 (CYPs) responsible for the enantioselective metabolism of ifosfamide (IFA). The 4-hydroxylation, N²- and N³-dechloroethylation of IFA enantiomers were monitored simultaneously in the same metabolic systems using GC/MS and pseudoracemate techniques. In human and rat liver microsomes, (R)-IFA was preferentially metabolized via 4-hydroxylation, whereas its antipode was biotransformed in favour of N-dechloroethylation. CYP3A4 was the major enzyme responsible for metabolism of IFA enantiomers in human liver. The study also revealed that CYP3A (human CYP3A4/5 and rat CYP3A1/2) and CYP2B (human CYP2B6 and rat CYP2B1/2) enantioselectively mediated the 4-hydroxylation, N²- and N³-dechloroethylation of IFA. CYP3A preferentially supported the formation of (R)-4-hydroxyIFA (HOIF), (R)-N²-dechloroethylIFA (N2D) and (R)-N³-dechloroethylIFA (N3D), whereas CYP2B preferentially mediated the generation of (S)-HOIF, (S)-N2D and (S)-N3D. The enantioselective metabolism of IFA by CYP3A4 and CYP2B1 was confirmed in cDNA transfected V79 cells.     

A novel adenosine analog, thio-Cl-IB-MECA, induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells

Human A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) agonists have been shown to play important roles in several physiological and pathological processes, including growth inhibition of human cancer cells. On this line, we recently found that a novel adenosine analog, 2-chloro-N6-(3-iodobenzyl)-4'-thioadenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide (thio-Cl-IB-MECA) was a potent human A3AR agonist, and is superior to a known agonist Cl-IB-MECA [Jeong LS, Jin DZ, Kim HO, Shin DH, Moon HR, Gunaga P, et al. J Med Chem 2003;46:3775]. Here, we report that a novel A3AR agonist, thio-Cl-IB-MECA inhibited the growth of human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells by arresting cell cycle and induction of apoptosis. Thio-Cl-IB-MECA induced the cell cycle arrest of G0/G1 in the early time and at lower concentration (up to 25 microM). At higher concentration (50 microM), the apoptotic cell deaths were manifested by observation of the increase of sub-G0 phase of cell cycle distribution, DNA fragmentation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. In addition, the down-regulation of checkpoint protein cyclin D1 and c-myc by thio-Cl-IB-MECA was well correlated with the arrest of cell cycle transition of G1 to S phase. Further study revealed that the growth inhibitory activity of thio-Cl-IB-MECA is also related with the modulation of Wnt signaling pathway. The levels of beta-catenin, phosphorylated forms of GSK-beta and Akt were down-regulated by the treatment of thio-Cl-IB-MECA (10 nM) in a time-dependent manner, providing one of plausible mechanistic evidence for the involvement of the Wnt signaling pathway in the HL-60 cell growth inhibitory effects by thio-Cl-IB-MECA. These results suggest that a novel A3AR agonist, thio-Cl-IB-MECA can down-regulate Wnt signaling, inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in HL-60 leukemia cells, and thus provide the possibility of this compound in the potential therapeutic value of the treatment of leukemia.     

The role of adenosine A2A and A2B receptors in the regulation of TNF-alpha production by human monocytes

Adenosine is an endogenous nucleoside that regulates many physiological processes through the activation of its four receptors: A(1), A(2A), A(2B) and A(3). Previous studies have identified the involvement of A(2) receptors in the inhibitory activity of adenosine analogues on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated monocytes, but the relative contributions of A(2A) versus A(2B) receptors have not been determined in human primary monocytes. Nor has the role of A(1) and A(3) been clearly identified in the system. The lack of such information impacts on the selection of adenosine receptor agonists for disease intervention. Using LPS-stimulated human primary monocytes, we found that the adenosine receptor agonist, 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) or the A(2A) receptor agonist, 4-[2-[[6-amino-9-(N-ethyl-b-d-ribofuranuronamidosyl)-9H-purin-2-yl]amino]ethyl]benzenepropanoic acid hydrochloride (CGS21680) produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of TNF-alpha production, with IC(50)s of 58.4nM (32.7-104.5nM, 95% confidence interval) and 49.2nM (22.7-105.9nM, 95% confidence interval), respectively. The selective A(2A) receptor blocker, 4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin-5-ylaminso]ethyl)phenol (ZM241385, 30nM), antagonized the effects of NECA and CGS21680 (pK(B) estimates were 8.7+/-0.1 and 8.9+/-0.1, respectively), while the selective A(2B) antagonist, N-(4-cyano-phenyl)-2-[4-(2,6-dioxo-1,3-dipropyl-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-purin-8-yl)-phenoxy]-acetamide (MRS1754, 100nM), failed to antagonize the effects of either agonist. Furthermore, neither the A(1) receptor agonist, 2-chloro-N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA) nor the A(3) receptor agonist, 1-[2-chloro-6-[[(3-iodophenyl)methyl]amino]-9H-purin-9-yl]-1-deoxy-N-methyl-b-d-ribofuranuronamide (2-Cl-IB-MECA) showed significant inhibitory activity at concentrations that effectively bind to their respective receptors. We conclude that A(2A) receptor activation is predominantly responsible for the inhibitory effects of adenosine receptor agonists on TNF-alpha production from LPS-stimulated monocytes.     

Functional calcium coupling with the human metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes 2 and 4 by stable co-expression with a calcium pathway facilitating G-protein chimera in Chinese hamster ovary cells

The objective of the current study was to facilitate functional calcium assays, compatible with the fluorometric imaging plate reader platform, for the human metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) subtypes 2 and 4, by co-expressing each receptor with a G-protein chimera comprising Galphaq with the C-terminal five amino acids replaced with those from Galphai3 (GqGi3). Transfection of GqGi3 into previously validated stable CHO cell lines expressing mGluR2 or mGluR4 allowed for the selection of new double transfectants in which application of L-glutamate and other mGluR agonists resulted in calcium coupling with a high signal:noise ratio (maximal changes in relative fluorescence units up to 20,000). The rank order of agonist potency for the stimulation of calcium mobilization in the mGluR2/GqGi3 stable cell line was LY354740>L-CCG-I=DCG-IV>L-glutamate>/=(2R,4R)-APDC>/=(1S,3R)-ACPD. In the mGluR4/GqGi3 stable cell line the rank order of agonist potency was L-AP4>L-SOP>/=ACPT-I=L-CCG-I>/=L-glutamate=(R,S)-PPG. By comparison, equivalent potency orders and a significant correlation in functional activities were observed when the same compounds were profiled in [35S]GTPgammaS binding assays for each mGluR subtype. These results validate the use of functional calcium assays, amenable to high-throughput applications on the fluorometric imaging plate reader, for the mGluR2 and mGluR4 subtypes when co-expressed in stable cell lines with the GqGi3 chimera.     

Cytotoxic and xenoestrogenic effects via biotransformation of trans-anethole on isolated rat hepatocytes and cultured MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

The metabolism and action of trans-anethole (anethole) and the estrogen-like activity of the compound and its metabolites were studied in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes and cultured MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, respectively. The incubation of hepatocytes with anethole (0.25-2.0mM) caused a concentration- and time-dependent cell death accompanied by losses of cellular ATP and adenine nucleotide pools. Anethole at a weakly toxic level (0.5mM) was metabolized to 4-methoxycinnamic acid (4MCA), 4-hydroxy-1-propenylbenzene (4OHPB), and the monosulfate conjugate of 4OHPB; the levels of 4OHPB sulfate and 4MCA reached approximately 20 and 200 microM within 2 hr, respectively, whereas that of free unconjugated 4OHPB was less than approximately 0.5 microM. At a moderately toxic concentration (1.0mM), unconjugated 4OHPB reached approximately 10 microM, followed by abrupt loss of 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulphate (PAPS). Based on cell viability and adenine nucleotide levels, 4OHPB was more toxic than anethole and 4MCA. The addition of 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol (50 microM), an inhibitor of sulfotransferase, enhanced the anethole-induced cytotoxicity associated with losses of ATP, PAPS, and 4OHPB sulfate, and symmetrically increased the unconjugated 4OHPB concentration. 4OHPB as well as diethylstilbestrol (DES) and bisphenol A (BPA), which are known xenoestrogenic compounds, competitively displaced 17beta-estradiol bound to the estrogen receptor alpha in a concentration-dependent manner; IC(50) values of these compounds were approximately 1 x 10(-5), 1 x 10(-8) and 5 x 10(-5)M, respectively. 4OHPB also caused a concentration (10(-8) to 10(-6)M)-dependent proliferation of MCF-7 cells, whereas neither anethole nor 4MCA (10(-9) to 10(-5)M) affected cell proliferation. However, at higher concentrations (>10(-4)M), 4OHPB rather than anethole and 4MCA was cytotoxic. These results suggest that the biotransformation of anethole induces a cytotoxic effect at higher concentrations in rat hepatocytes and an estrogenic effect at lower concentrations in MCF-7 cells based on the concentrations of the hydroxylated intermediate, 4OHPB.     

In vivo formation of N7-guanine DNA adduct by safrole 2',3'-oxide in mice

Safrole, a naturally occurring product derived from spices and herbs, has been shown to be associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in rodents. Safrole 2',3'-oxide (SFO), an electrophilic metabolite of safrole, was shown to react with DNA bases to form detectable DNA adducts in vitro, but not detected in vivo. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the formation of N7-(3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-2-hydroxypropyl)guanine (N7γ-SFO-Gua) resulting from the reaction of SFO with the most nucleophilic site of guanine in vitro and in vivo with a newly developed isotope-dilution high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method. N7γ-SFO-Gua and [(15)N(5)]-N7-(3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-2-hydroxypropyl)guanine ([(15)N(5)]-N7γ-SFO-Gua) were first synthesized, purified, and characterized. The HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method was developed to measure N7γ-SFO-Gua in calf thymus DNA treated with 60μmol of SFO for 72h and in urine samples of mice treated with a single dose of SFO (30mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally). In calf thymus DNA, the level of N7γ-SFO-Gua was 2670 adducts per 10(6)nucleotides. In urine of SFO-treated mice, the levels of N7γ-SFO-Gua were 1.02±0.14ng/mg creatinine (n=4) on day 1, 0.73±0.68ng/mg creatinine (n=4) on day 2, and below the limit of quantitation on day 3. These results suggest that SFO can cause in vivo formation of N7γ-SFO-Gua, which may then be rapidly depurinated from the DNA backbone and excreted through urine.     

Wogonin and fisetin induce apoptosis in human promyeloleukemic cells, accompanied by a decrease of reactive oxygen species, and activation of caspase 3 and Ca(2+)-dependent endonuclease

Seven structurally related flavonoids including luteolin, nobiletin, wogonin, baicalein, apigenin, myricetin and fisetin were used to study their biological activities on the human leukemia cell line, HL-60. On MTT assay, wogonin, baicalein, apigenin, myricetin and fisetin showed obvious cytotoxic effects on HL-60 cells, with wogonin and fisetin being the most-potent apoptotic inducers among them. The cytotoxic effects of wogonin and fisetin were accompanied by the dose- and time-dependent appearance of characteristics of apoptosis including DNA fragmentation, apoptotic bodies and the sub-G1 ratio. Treatment with an apoptosis-inducing concentration of wogonin or fisetin causes rapid and transient induction of caspase 3/CPP32 activity, but not caspase 1 activity. Further, cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and decrease of pro-caspase 3 protein were detected in wogonin- and fisetin-treated HL-60 cells. An increase in the pro-apoptotic protein, bax, and a decrease in the anti-apoptotic protein, Mcl-1, were detected in fisetin- and wogonin-treated HL-60 cells. However, Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and Bad all remained unchanged in wogonin- and fisetin-treated HL-60 cells. In vitro chromatin digestion revealed that endonuclease activity was profoundly enhanced in wogonin- and fisetin-treated HL-60 cells, and the addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or ethyleneglycoltetraacetic acid (EGTA) into the reaction blocked endonuclease activation and at an optimum pH of 7.5. The caspase 3 inhibitor, Ac-DEVD-CHO, but not the caspase 1 inhibitor, Ac-YVAD-CHO, attenuated wogonin- and fisetin-induced DNA ladders, PARP cleavage, and endonuclease activation. Pretreatment of HL-60 cells with N-acetyl-cysteine or catalase efficiently inhibited H(2)O(2) (200 microM)-induced apoptosis, but showed no inhibitory effect on wogonin- and fisetin-induced DNA ladders, caspase 3 activation, or bax protein induction. Decrease in endogenous ROS production was detected in wogonin- and fisetin-treated HL-60 cells by DCHF-DA assay. In conclusion, our experiments indicate that a decrease in intracellular peroxide level was involved in wogonin- and fisetin-induced apoptosis; activation of caspase 3 and endonuclease, induction of bax protein and suppression of Mcl-1 protein were detected in the process.     

Caged agonist of P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors for light-directed facilitation of platelet aggregation

We have prepared a caged form (MRS2703) of a potent dual agonist of the P2Y(1) and P2Y(12) nucleotide receptors, 2-MeSADP, by blocking the beta-phosphate group with a 1-(3,4-dimethyloxyphenyl)eth-1-yl phosphoester. Although MRS2703 is itself inactive at human P2Y(1) and P2Y(12) receptors expressed heterologously in 1321N1 astrocytoma cells or in washed human platelets, this derivative readily regenerates the parent agonist upon mild irradiation with long-wave UV light (360 nm). The functional effect of the regenerated agonist was demonstrated by a rise in intracellular calcium mediated by either P2Y(1) or P2Y(12) receptors in transfected cells. Washed human platelets exposed to a solution of MRS2703 were induced to aggregate upon UV irradiation. At 1.0 microM MRS2703, full aggregation was achieved within 1 min of irradiation. Thus, this caged nucleotide promises to be a useful probe for potent P2Y receptor activation with light-directed spatial and temporal control.     

N6-Substituted adenosine derivatives: selectivity,efficacy, and species differences at A3 adenosine receptors

The activation of the human A(3) adenosine receptor (AR) by a wide range of N(6)-substituted adenosine derivatives was studied in intact CHO cells stably expressing this receptor. Selectivity of binding at rat and human ARs was also determined. Among N(6)-alkyl substitutions, small N(6)-alkyl groups were associated with selectivity for human A(3)ARs vs. rat A(3)ARs, and multiple points of branching were associated with decreased hA(3)AR efficacy. N(6)-Cycloalkyl-substituted adenosines were full (/=6 carbons) hA(3)AR agonists. N(6)-(endo-Norbornyl)adenosine 13 was the most selective for both rat and human A(1)ARs. Numerous N(6)-arylmethyl analogues, including substituted benzyl, tended to be more potent in binding to A(1) and A(3) vs. A(2A)ARs (with variable degrees of partial to full A(3)AR agonisms). A chloro substituent decreased the efficacy depending on its position on the benzyl ring. The A(3)AR affinity and efficacy of N(6)-arylethyl adenosines depended highly on stereochemistry, steric bulk, and ring constraints. Stereoselectivity of binding was demonstrated for N(6)-(R-1-phenylethyl)adenosine vs. N(6)-(S-1-phenylethyl)adenosine, as well as for the N(6)-(1-phenyl-2-pentyl)adenosine, at the rat, but not human A(3)AR. Interestingly, DPMA, a potent agonist for the A(2A)AR (K(i)=4nM), was demonstrated to be a moderately potent antagonist for the human A(3)AR (K(i)=106nM). N(6)-[(1S,2R)-2-Phenyl-1-cyclopropyl]adenosine 48 was 1100-fold more potent in binding to human (K(i)=0.63nM) than rat A(3)ARs. Dual acting A(1)/A(3) agonists (N(6)-3-chlorobenzyl- 29, N(6)-(S-1-phenylethyl)- 39, and 2-chloro-N(6)-(R-phenylisopropyl)adenosine 53) might be useful for cardioprotection.     

Detection of N-(1-deoxy-d-fructos-1-yl) Fumonisins B2 and B3 in Corn by High-Resolution LC-Orbitrap MS

The existence of glucose conjugates of fumonisin B₂ (FB₂) and fumonisin B₃ (FB₃) in corn powder was confirmed for the first time. These “bound-fumonisins” (FB₂ and FB₃ bound to glucose) were identified as N-(1-deoxy-d-fructos-1-yl) fumonisin B₂ (NDfrc-FB₂) and N-(1-deoxy-d-fructos-1-yl) fumonisin B₃ (NDfrc-FB₃) respectively, based on the accurate mass measurements of characteristic ions and fragmentation patterns using high-resolution liquid chromatography-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (LC-Orbitrap MS) analysis. Treatment on NDfrc-FB₂ and NDfrc-FB₃ with the o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) reagent also supported that d-glucose binding to FB₂ and FB₃ molecules occurred to their primary amine residues.     

Differential allosteric modulation by amiloride analogues of agonist and antagonist binding at A(1) and A(3) adenosine receptors

The diuretic drug amiloride and its analogues were found previously to be allosteric modulators of antagonist binding to A(2A) adenosine receptors. In this study, the possibility of the allosteric modulation by amiloride analogues of antagonist binding at A(1) and A(3) receptors, as well as agonist binding at A(1), A(2A), and A(3) receptors, was explored. Amiloride analogues increased the dissociation rates of two antagonist radioligands, [3H]8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine ([3H]DPCPX) and [3H]8-ethyl-4-methyl-2-phenyl-(8R)-4,5,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[2,1-i]purin-5-one ([3H]PSB-11), from A(1) and A(3) receptors, respectively. Amiloride and 5-(N,N-dimethyl)amiloride (DMA) were more potent at A(1) receptors than at A(3) receptors, while 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride (HMA) was more potent at A(3) receptors. Thus, amiloride analogues are allosteric inhibitors of antagonist binding at A(1), A(2A), and A(3) adenosine receptor subtypes. In contrast to their effects on antagonist-occupied receptors, amiloride analogues did not affect the dissociation rates of the A(1) agonist [3H]N(6)-[(R)-phenylisopropyl]adenosine ([3H]R-PIA) from A(1) receptors or the A(2A) agonist [3H]2-[p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenyl-ethylamino]-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine ([3H]CGS21680) from A(2A) receptors. The dissociation rate of the A(3) agonist radioligand [125I]N(6)-(4-amino-3-iodobenzyl)adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide ([125I]I-AB-MECA) from A(3) receptors was decreased significantly by amiloride analogues. The binding modes of amiloride analogues at agonist-occupied and antagonist-occupied receptors differed markedly, which was demonstrated in all three subtypes of adenosine receptors tested in this study. The effects of the amiloride analogues on the action of the A(3) receptor agonist were explored further using a cyclic AMP functional assay in intact CHO cells expressing the human A(3) receptor. Both binding and functional assays support the allosteric interactions of amiloride analogues with A(3) receptors.