Expression of human mu or alpha class glutathione S-transferases in stably transfected human MCF-7 breast cancer cells: effect on cellular sensitivity to cytotoxic agents.

Increased expression of certain glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes has frequently been associated with the development of resistance to alkylating agents and other classes of antineoplastic drugs in drug-selected cell lines. The question arises whether this phenomenon is causal or is a stress-induced response associated with drug resistance in these cell lines. We have constructed mammalian expression vectors containing the human GST mu and GST alpha 2 (Ha2) cDNAs and stably transfected them into the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Whereas the parental and pSV2neo-transfected cell lines display low GST activity, three individual transfected clones were identified in each group that expressed either GST mu or GST alpha 2. The range of GST activities was similar to those observed in cells selected for anticancer drug resistance. The GST mu specific activities were 56, 150, and 340 mlU/mg, compared with 10 mlU/mg of endogenous GST mu in control lines. Specific activities in GST alpha 2-transfected clones were 17, 28, and 52 mlU/mg, compared with no detectable alpha class GST in control lines. These clonal lines and the parental and pSV2neo-transfected control lines were tested for sensitivity to antineoplastic agents and other cytotoxic compounds. The clones with the highest activity in each group were 1.7-fold (GST alpha 2) to 2.1-fold (GST mu) resistant to the toxic effects of ethacrynic acid, a known substrate for GSTs. However, the GST-transfected cell lines were not resistant to doxorubicin, L-phenylalanine mustard, bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, cisplatin, chlorambucil, or the GST substrates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene or tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Thus, although L-phenylalanine mustard, bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, chlorambucil, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene are known to be metabolized by glutathione-dependent GST-catalyzed reactions, there was no protection against any of these agents in MCF-7 cell lines overexpressing GST mu or GST alpha 2. We conclude that, at the levels of GST obtained in this transfection model system, overexpression of GST mu or GST alpha 2 is not by itself sufficient to confer resistance to these anticancer agents. These studies do not exclude the possibility that GST may be a marker of drug resistance or that other gene products not expressed in MCF-7 cells might cooperate with GST to confer drug resistance.     

Biochemical and pharmacological characterization of MCF-7 drug-sensitive and AdrR multidrug-resistant human breast tumor xenografts in athymic nude mice.

The phenotypic expression of multidrug resistance by the doxorubicin-selected AdrR human breast tumor cell line is associated with overexpression of plasma membrane P-170 glycoprotein and increased cytosolic selenium-dependent GSH-peroxidase activity relative to the parental MCF-7 wild-type line (WT). To determine whether doxorubicin resistance by AdrR cells persists in vivo, and to further investigate the possibility of biochemical differences between WT and AdrR solid tumors, both tumor cell lines were grown as subcutaneous xenografts in athymic nude mice. Tumorigenicity depended upon cell inoculation burden, and tumor incidence was similar for both cell lines (greater than 80% tumor takes at 10(7) cells/mouse) at 14 days, provided 17 beta-estradiol was supplied to the animals bearing the WT tumors. However, the growth rate for the AdrR xenografts was only about half that of WT xenografts. Doxorubicin (2-8 mg/kg, i.p., injected weekly) significantly diminished the growth of the WT tumors, but AdrR solid tumors failed to respond to doxorubicin. The accumulation of 14C-labeled doxorubicin was 2-fold greater in WT xenografts that in AdrR, although there were no differences in host organ drug levels in mice bearing either type of tumors. Membrane P-170 glycoprotein mRNA was detected by slot-blot analysis in the AdrR tumors, but not in WT. Electron spin resonance 5,5-dimethylpyrroline-N-oxide-spin-trapping experiments with microsomes and mitochondria from WT and AdrR xenographs demonstrated a 2-fold greater oxygen radical (superoxide and hydroxyl) formation from activated doxorubicin with WT xenographs compared to AdrR. Selenium-dependent glutathione (GSH)-peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and GSH-S-aryltransferase activities in AdrR xenografts were elevated relative to WT. Although the activities of the latter two enzymes were similar to those measured in both tumor cell lines, GSH-peroxidase activities were elevated 70-fold (WT) and 10-fold (AdrR) in xenografts compared to tumor cells. In contrast, in both WT and AdrR solid tumors in vivo, catalase, NAD(P)H-oxidoreductases, and glutathione disulfide (GSSG)-reductase activities, and GSH and GSSG levels were not markedly different, and were essentially the same as in cells in vitro. Like the MDR cells in culture, AdrR tumor xenografts were extremely resistant to doxorubicin and retained most of the characteristics of the altered phenotype. These results suggest that WT and AdrR breast tumor xenografts provide a useful model for the study of biochemical and pharmacological mechanisms of drug resistance by solid tumors in vivo.     

TPGS修饰脂质体对阿霉素抗肿瘤活性的增敏作用

目的制备聚乙二醇1000维生素E琥珀酸酯(TPGS)修饰的阿霉素脂质体并考察其对阿霉素抗肿瘤活性的增敏作用。方法用阳离子树脂吸附法测定阿霉素脂质体的包封率;MTT法测定对MCF-7和MCF-7/ADR的毒性;用荧光显微镜观察阿霉素的细胞摄取,并用HPLC测定细胞内的阿霉素含量。结果 TPGS修饰的阿霉素脂质体增加了MCF-7/ADR对阿霉素的摄取,并增强了对MCF-7和MCF-7/ADR细胞的毒性。结论 TPGS修饰脂质体能显著增强MCF-7和MCF-7/ADR对阿霉素的敏感性。     

钙调素拮抗剂O-(4-乙氧基)-丁基-小檗胺增强阿霉素杀伤MCF-7/ADR细胞的机制研究

目的研究钙调素拮抗剂0-4-乙氧基-丁基-小檗胺(EBB)增强阿霉素诱导乳腺癌多药耐药细胞系MCF-7/ADR细胞的杀伤作用及其相关机制。方法用MTT法测定阿霉素、EBB单独及联合用药对阿霉素杀伤乳腺癌多药耐药细胞系(MCF-7/ADR)及其亲代细胞系(MCF-7)的作用的IC50值,用不同浓度EBB处理MCF-7/ADR细胞后用FACS法分析EBB对阿霉素诱导细胞凋亡及对mdr1mRNA和P-gp蛋白水平表达的影响,通过激光共聚焦显微镜观察EBB处理前后及用EBB预处理24和48h后MCF-7/ADR和MCF-7细胞内阿霉素浓度的改变。结果MTT结果显示EBB对MCF-7和MCF-7/ADR都具有抗肿瘤活性;EBB还能协同提高阿霉素的细胞毒作用,MCF-7组两药相互作用指数(CDI)值为0.73,MCF-7/ADR组CDI值为0.49,其对耐药细胞的协同作用更为明显。随EBB剂量增加,低剂量阿霉素诱导MCF-7/ADR细胞凋亡增加而且P-gp蛋白表达水平逐渐下降,细胞内阿霉素浓度逐渐提高,而且用EBB预处理MCF-7/ADR细胞24和48h后细胞内阿霉素和罗丹明浓度也逐渐提高。结论EBB是有效的肿瘤细胞化疗药物,它不但能直接抑制P-gp功能还具有下调P-gp蛋白表达的作用,从而有效逆转MCF-7/ADR细胞的耐药现象,协同增强化疗药物对耐药细胞的杀伤作用。     

Glutathione S-transferase expression and isoenzyme composition during cell differentiation of Caco-2 cells

The human colon adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2 is frequently used to study human intestinal metabolism and transport of xenobiotica. Previous studies have shown that both Caco-2 cells and human colon cells constitutively express the multigene family of detoxifying enzymes glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), particularly GST alpha and GST pi. GSTs may play a fundamental role in the molecular interplay between phase I, II enzymes and ABC-transporters. The gut fermentation product, butyrate, can modulate the potential for detoxification. The aim of this study was to investigate the basal expression of further cytosolic GSTs in Caco-2 cells during cell differentiation. In addition, a comparison was made with expression levels in MCF-7 and HepG2, two other cell types with barrier functions. Finally, the butyrate-mediated modulation of gene and protein expression was determined by real time PCR and western blot analysis.     

N-糖基取代的邻苯二甲酰亚胺新衍生物的合成与肿瘤多药耐药逆转作用研究

沙利度胺（α-N-phthalimido-glutarimide，TLD）是一种具有抗血管生成和抗炎作用的药物，对多种实体瘤有效。本文研究了N-糖基取代的沙利度胺新衍生物（STA-35）对阿霉素（doxorubicin，ADR）引起的多药耐药（multidurg resistance，MDR）的调节作用。采用SRB法检测化合物对癌细胞的增殖抑制作用，应用流式细胞术测定P-糖蛋白（P-glycoprotein，P—gp）的功能，以免疫印迹方法考察P—gP的蛋白表达。实验结果表明，STA-35能够抑制人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7及其ADR耐药细胞MCF-7／ADR生长，耐药指数仅为1．19；并能增强MCF-7／ADR细胞对ADR的敏感性。此外，STA-35可以增加MCF-7／ADR细胞内罗丹明123（rhodamine 123，RH123）的聚积，减弱P—gP的功能，抑制P-gp的蛋白表达。该化合物具有多药耐药逆转作用，其分子机制可能与抑制P—gp的功能和蛋白表达相关。     

Doxorubicin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles to overcome multidrug resistance in cancer therapy

In the present study we developed doxorubicin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN-Dox) using biocompatible compounds, assessed the in vitro hemolytic effect, and examined their in vivo effects on drug retention and apoptosis intensity in P-glycoprotein-overexpressing MCF-7/ADR cells, a representative Dox-resistant breast cancer cell line. Our SLNs did not show hemolytic activity in human erythrocytes. In comparison with Dox, SLN-Dox efficiently enhanced apoptotic cell death through the higher accumulation of Dox in MCF-7/ADR cells. Therefore, SLN-Dox have potential to serve as a useful therapeutic approach to overcome the chemoresistance of adriamycin-resistant breast cancer.From the Clinical EditorDoxorubicin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN-Dox) were studied in a cell line representative of doxorubicin resistant breast cancer. The nanoparticles did not show hemolytic activity; furthermore, they efficiently enhanced apoptotic cell death through higher accumulation of doxorubicin in cancer cells. This approach may be viable in overcoming the chemoresistance of adriamycin resistant breast cancer.     

Elevation of pi class glutathione S-transferase activity in human breast cancer cells by transfection of the GST pi gene and its effect on sensitivity to toxins

Increased expression of the glutathione S-transferase (GST; E.C.2.5.1.18) pi class isozyme is associated with both malignant transformation and drug resistance, as well as with decreased estrogen receptor content in breast cancer. In order to further characterize the role of this enzyme in drug resistance, we cloned the cDNA encoding the human isozyme GST pi and developed two eukaryotic expression vectors using this cDNA and either the human metallothionein IIa or cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoters. These GST pi expression vectors were cotransfected with pSV2neo into drug-sensitive MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, which have low amounts of GST activity and which do not express GST pi. The transfected cells were selected for G418 resistance and individual clones were screened for GST activity. Three clones that demonstrated increased GST activity were selected for further study. Immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that the increase in GST activity in these clones was due to expression of GST pi. Although the total GST activity of the positive clones was increased as much as 15-fold over that in wild-type MCF-7 cells, there was no change in glutathione peroxidase activity, as measured using cumene hydroperoxide as a substrate. Immunoblot studies revealed that the increased GST enzyme produced in the transfected cells was identical in size to endogenous GST pi. Southern blot analysis demonstrated the incorporation of the GST pi expression vector into the genome of the positive clones and Northern blot analysis showed that the transfected genes made a hybrid GST pi RNA that was slightly larger than the endogenous GST pi RNA. Primer extension studies demonstrated that this increase in length corresponded to the added length of the 5' leader sequence of the expression vector. The effect of increased GST pi activity on the sensitivity of the transfected clones to several cytotoxic agents was assessed by colony-forming assay. The transfected clones were slightly more resistant (1.3-4.1-fold) to benzo(a)pyrene and its toxic metabolite benzo(a)pyrene-(anti)-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide, as well as to ethacrynic acid (3.1-to 4.4-fold). Although increased GST pi expression is found in MCF-7 cells selected for doxorubicin resistance, the transfected clones were not consistently more resistant to doxorubicin than control cells. In addition, the transfected cells were not resistant to either melphalan or (cis)-platinum, even though conjugation with glutathione is known to play a role in the detoxification of both of these drugs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Glutathione S-transferases and glutathione peroxidases in doxorubicin-resistant murine leukemic P388 cells

Energy-dependent rapid drug efflux is believed to be a major factor in cellular resistance to doxorubicin (DOX). However, several recent studies have demonstrated that cellular DOX retention alone does not always correlate with its cytotoxicity and suggest that mechanisms other than rapid drug efflux may also be important. In the present study, we have compared glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (GST), selenium-dependent GSH peroxidase and selenium-independent GSH peroxidase II activities in DOX-sensitive (P388/S) and resistant (P388/R) mouse leukemic cells. The GST activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and ethacrynic acid (EA) was markedly higher in P388/R cells compared to P388/S cells. Purification of GST by GSH-affinity chromatography from an equal number of P388/S and P388/R cells revealed an increased amount of GST protein in P388/R cells. Immunological studies indicated that alpha and pi type GST isoenzymes were 1.27- and 2.2-fold higher, respectively, in P388/R cells compared to P388/S cells. Selenium-dependent GSH peroxidase activity was similar in both the cell lines, whereas selenium-independent GSH peroxidase II activity was approximately 1.36-fold higher in P388/R cells compared to P388/S cells. These results suggest that increased GSH peroxidase II activity in P388/R cells may contribute to cellular DOX resistance by enhancing free radical detoxification in this cell line.     

99mTc-MIBI评价川芎嗪逆转乳腺癌MCF-7/ADR细胞耐多药的研究

目的:用P-gp的底物~(99m)Tc-MIBI评价中药钙通道阻滞剂川芎嗪(TMP)对乳腺癌MCF-7/ADR细胞耐多药的逆转作用。方法:以经典逆转剂维拉帕米和MCF-7/WT细胞作对照,各组均加入~(99m)Tc-MIBI,分别测定逆转剂作用前后细胞内(C_(in))和上清液(C_(out))中的放射性活度的比值。结果:在加入逆转剂之前MCF-7/WT和MCF-7/ADR细胞株间~(99m)Tc-MIBI聚集的差别为33倍,加入逆转剂 60min后二者间的差别为3.8倍。结论:~(99m)Tc-MIBI的变化可以反映耐多药的逆转,TMP可部分逆转MCF-7/ADR的耐多药性。     

Induction of glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes in mouse liver by 5-(2-pyrazynl)-4-methyl-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (oltipraz).

Treatment of mice with a single dose of oltipraz (OPZ) at 200 mg/kg led to a significant (P less than 0.05) increase in hepatic cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and content. GST activity monitored with 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene was increased 3.8-fold 3 days after treatment, suggesting the induction of mu class isoenzymes. Ethacrynic acid, a marker for pi class isoforms, showed only a slight increase in GST activity while no induction was observed with cumene hydroperoxide, an indicator for the alpha class. The increase in mu class isoenzymes was further confirmed by separation of the mouse liver affinity purified GST by chromatofocusing and also by resolving the GST subunits by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatographic procedures. Therefore, OPZ induces mainly the mu class isoenzymes in mouse hepatic tissues.     

Role of differential drug uptake, efflux, and binding of etoposide in sensitive and resistant human tumor cell lines: implications for the mechanisms of drug resistance

In order to study the mechanism of etoposide (VP-16) resistance in human tumor cells and to assess the role of P-170 glycoprotein in VP-16 accumulation, we have examined the uptake and efflux of VP-16 in both sensitive and multidrug-resistant MCF-7 human breast and HL60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells. The drug-resistant cells, MCF-7/ADR and HL60/ADR, were selected for resistance to adriamycin and were 200- to 250-fold resistant to VP-16. Whereas MCF-7/ADR cells overexpress the P-170 glycoprotein and show the multidrug-resistant phenotype, HL60/ADR cells do not overexpress the P-170 glycoprotein. Although there was a 2-fold decrease in accumulation of VP-16 in MCF-7/ADR cells, this decrease did not correlate with a 250-fold resistance to the drug. VP-16 efflux was rapid and almost complete from MCF-7 cell lines and it was decreased at 4 degrees. Further, there was a significant increase in VP-16 accumulation in the MCF-7/ADR cells in the presence of glucose-free medium supplemented with sodium azide. However, no change in the pattern of VP-16 efflux was observed. Under these conditions, addition of glucose caused release of VP-16 from MCF-7/ADR cells, suggesting energy-dependent modifications in the drug binding. Coincubation of vincristine with VP-16 also increased the drug accumulation and decreased the rate of efflux of VP-16 in both sensitive and resistant MCF-7 cells, suggesting that vincristine and VP-16 may compete for similar binding and efflux mechanisms in these cell lines. In contrast, daunorubicin increased VP-16 accumulation only in the sensitive MCF-7 cell line, whereas the efflux rate of VP-16 was not significantly changed in either cell line. HL60 sensitive cells accumulated 4- to 5-fold more VP-16 than the resistant subline. Both sensitive and resistant cells showed an important noneffluxable pool of the drug, 3-fold larger for sensitive cells (79 +/- 12 versus 25 +/- 2 pmol of VP-16/mg of protein, for sensitive and resistant cells, respectively). The efflux of VP-16 was temperature dependent only in sensitive cells. VP-16 accumulation in HL60/ADR cells was increased in glucose-free medium supplemented with sodium azide; however, the noneffluxable pool of VP-16 was not significantly changed. In contrast, although these conditions had no effect on the drug accumulation in the parental line, they caused a decrease in the noneffluxable pool of VP-16, suggesting an energy-dependent binding and retention of VP-16.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

叶酸受体及二氢叶酸还原酶与人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7/ADR多药耐药的关系

目的以人乳腺癌多药耐药细胞系MCF-7/ADR及其敏感亲本系MCF-7为对象,探讨叶酸受体(FOLRα)及其下游基因二氢叶酸还原酶(DHFR)的表达与乳腺癌细胞多药耐药的关系。方法 MTT法测定阿霉素的细胞毒性作用及DHFR抑制剂对MCF-7/ADR细胞多药耐药的逆转作用;RT-PCR检测细胞FOLRα和DHFR mRNA的表达水平;免疫细胞化学检测FOLRα、P-gp的表达水平。结果 MCF-7细胞增殖速度快于MCF-7/ADR细胞,MCF-7细胞FOLRα mRNA转录水平较MCF-7/ADR细胞高,而MCF-7/ADR细胞DHFR mRNA较MCF-7细胞转录水平高;免疫细胞化学显示MCF-7细胞FOLRα的表达高于MCF-7/ADR细胞,而MCF-7/ADR细胞P-gp的表达较MCF-7细胞高;MCF-7/ADR对甲氨蝶啶无耐药性,甲氨蝶啶对MCF-7/ADR细胞多药耐药有逆转作用。结论 MCF-7/ADR细胞FOLRα的表达水平下调可能与细胞增殖水平有关,其下游基因DHFR表达水平与MCF-7/ADR细胞的MDR可能存在相关性。     

Effects of altered calcium homeostasis on the expression of glutathione S-transferase isozymes in primary cultured rat hepatocytes.

The effects of altered Ca2+ homeostasis on glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozyme expression in cultured primary rat hepatocytes were examined. Isolated hepatocytes were cultured on Vitrogen substratum in serum-free modified Chee's essential medium and treated with Ca2+ ionophore A23187 at 120 hr post-plating. GST activity increased slightly, albeit significantly, in a concentration-dependent manner in A23187-treated hepatocytes relative to untreated controls. Western blot analysis using GST class alpha and mu specific antibodies showed an approximately 1.6- and 1.5-fold increase in the class alpha, Ya and Yc subunits, respectively, whereas no significant increase (approximately 1.2-fold) in class mu GST expression was observed following A23187 treatment. Northern blot analysis revealed an approximately 5-fold increase in GST class alpha and an approximately 7-fold increase in class mu GST mRNA levels in ionophore-treated hepatocytes compared to untreated cells. Results of the Western and Northern blot analyses of the ionophore-treated hepatocytes were compared with those obtained for tert-butyl hydroperoxide-treated cells. Immunoblot analysis showed a significant increase in the expression of GST class alpha, Ya and Yc subunits, approximately 1.8- and 1.7-fold, respectively, for tert-butyl hydroperoxide-treated hepatocytes as compared to controls, with little or no increase in class mu GSTs. Northern blot analysis showed approximately 3- and 2-fold increases, respectively, in class alpha and mu GST mRNA levels, following the tert-butyl hydroperoxide treatment. The results of the present investigation show that alterations in Ca2+ homeostasis produced by either Ca2+ ionophore A23187 or tert-butyl hydroperoxide treatment of hepatocytes enhanced the expression of GST isozymes in primary cultured rat hepatocytes.     

Characterization of a chlorambucil-resistant human ovarian carcinoma cell line overexpressing glutathione S-transferase mu.

Ovarian carcinoma cells 10-fold resistant to the alkylating agent chlorambucil (CBL) were isolated after repeated exposure of the parent cells to gradually escalating concentrations of the drug. The resistant variant, A2780(100), was highly cross-resistant (9-fold) to melphalan and showed lower-level resistance to other cross-linking agents. The resistant A2780(100) cells had almost 5-fold higher glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity than the parental A2780 cells with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as substrate. The pi-class GST(s) was the major isoform(s) in both cell lines. However, the resistant A2780(100) cells had at least 11-fold higher GST mu as compared with the parental cells, in which this isoform was barely detectable. A significant induction of GST mu was observed in A2780 cells, but not in the resistant cells, 18 hr after a single exposure to 100 microM CBL. The induction of GST mu by CBL was both time- and concentration-dependent. Assays of the conjugation of CBL with GSH showed that the human mu-class GST had 3.6- and 5.2-fold higher catalytic efficiency relative to the pi- and alpha-class GSTs, respectively. This difference was reflected in the relatively higher (about 6-fold) efficiency of CBL conjugation in A2780(100) cells as compared with the parental cells. These results have demonstrated for the first time a near-linear correlation between CBL resistance and overexpression of mu-class GSTs and suggest that this overexpression maybe responsible, at least in part, for the acquired resistance of ovarian carcinoma cells to CBL, and possibly the other bifunctional alkylating agents. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found evidence for decreased formation of DNA lesions in A2780(100) compared with the drug-sensitive A2780 cells after exposure to CBL.     

Identification of a glutathione S-transferase associated with microsomes of tumor cells resistant to nitrogen mustards

Walker 256 rat mammary carcinoma cells resistant to chlorambucil (WR) exhibited an approximate 4-fold increase in glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as compared to the sensitive parent cell line (WS). WR cells maintained without biannual exposure to chlorambucil (WRr) reverted to the sensitive phenotype and possessed GST levels equivalent to WS. Mitochondria, microsomes and cytosol were isolated from WS, WR and WRr cell lines and analyzed for their GST composition. GST activity in each subcellular compartment of resistant cells was increased over the sensitive cells. Antibodies raised against total rat liver cytosolic GST crossreacted in resistant cells with two microsomal proteins (25.7 kD and 29 kD). The 29 kD protein was not detected in microsomal fractions from either WS or WRr and this protein was found to be dissimilar from cytosolic GST subunits in its isoelectric point (pI 6.7) and migration on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels. In addition, the 29 kD microsome-associated GST from WR cells was immunologically distinct from a 14 kD GST subunit previously identified in rat liver microsomes. These data implicate the induction of a specific microsomal GST subunit in WR cells following drug selection and suggest its potential involvement in the establishment of cellular resistance to chlorambucil.     

Characterization of cytosolic glutathione S-transferases in juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Four cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) classes were isolated and characterized from juvenile winter run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) liver. Two techniques were used: (1) gel electrophoresis/immunoblotting against a polyclonal striped bass GST antibody and (2) high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Nanospray liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to elucidate peptide sequences and the proteins were identified as pi, theta, mu and alpha, by searching against the NCBI non-redundant database (nrDB). Catalytic activity of the cytosolic GSTs towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and ethacrynic acid (ETHA) were determined to be 0.3+/-0.05 U/mg cytosolic protein and 0.06+/-0.02 U/mg cytosolic protein, respectively.     

耐药人乳腺癌细胞中葡萄糖神经酰胺合成酶的表达及意义

目的:探讨葡萄糖神经酰胺合成酶(GCS)基因在人乳腺癌细胞株(MCF-7)和耐阿霉素人乳腺癌细胞株(MCF-7/ADR)中的表达及意义。方法:采用MTT法检测阿霉素对MCF-7/ADR和MCF-7的半数抑制浓度(IC50),用不同浓度的GCS抑制剂PDMP预处理MCF-7/ADR不同时间后检测IC50;运用流式细胞术检测MCF-7及PDMP预处理MCF-7/ADR前、后GCS蛋白的表达水平;应用实时荧光定量PCR法检测MCF-7及PDMP作用前、后MCF-7/ADR中GCS基因的表达(GCSN)水平。结果:阿霉素对MCF-7/ADR和MCF-7的IC50分别为(18.95±0.54)、(0.84±0.07)μg·mL-1;MCF-7/ADR对MCF-7的耐药倍数为22.69倍,PDMP作用后阿霉素对MCF-7/ADR的IC50下降至(5.63±0.58)μg·mL-1。MCF-7/ADR中GCS蛋白及GCSN的表达均高于MCF-7(P<0.01),PDMP使MCF-7/ADR中GCSN表达水平从0.0048±0.0017下降至0.0021±0.0004。结论:GCS可能参与肿瘤耐药的发生过程,并在MCF-7/ADR多药耐药中起重要作用。     

Heterogeneity of glutathione S-transferase enzyme and gene expression in ovarian carcinoma.

Expression of the three major cytosolic classes of glutathione S-transferases (GST; Pi, Alpha and Mu) was examined by 2D gel analysis and Western blotting of biopsies from 26 patients diagnosed with ovarian carcinoma. In contrast to other tissues, at least one 'constitutive' subunit from each of the three major cytosolic GST classes was expressed. In most cases, pi appeared to be the major form present, although levels of alpha and mu subunit expression were approximately equal to pi in some patients. There was no detectable effect of prior chemotherapy on enzyme activity. Mean transferase activity for primary carcinoma was 79.9 +/- 11.9 (mean +/- SEM; nmol min-1 mg-1), with three pair-matched normal tissues showing minor decreases in transferase activity. One sample, in which a 32% increase in tumour enzyme activity was noted, was from a patient with primary disease and was associated with marked overexpression of a relatively basic form of alpha which was absent from the matching normal tissue, but present in 20% of all tumours examined. RFLP analysis of genomic tumour DNA using a human mu class cDNA probe indicated that at least two of the three mu forms (the 'constitutive' form and one other) observed in ovarian tissue were allelic variants, as a one-to-one correlation was observed between the presence of two Hind III fragments at 13.1 and 2.2 kb and expression of a second, more basic, variable form. This latter form was positively identified as the mu class subunit mu based on Southern analysis and was seen to be present in 40% of the samples examined. However, in the absence of mu expression, at least one other mu class subunit probably corresponding to GST psi, was seen to be present. Thus, at least in ovarian tissues, absence of the mu subunit does not necessarily imply a lack of ability to metabolize mu substrates, as psi has similar catalytic activity. A third mu subunit, probably corresponding to GST phi based on its relatively acidic pI, was also noted in 72% of samples examined, but has unknown substrate specificity. Increased expression of both alpha and mu forms may be of relevance to disease diagnosis and drug response.