Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound   Target Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound

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Query: EC:1.5.1.3 (dihydrofolate reductase)
5,819 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Human melanomas are naturally resistant to methotrexate (MTX). The mechanism of intrinsic drug resistance has been explored in 3 melanoma cell lines not previously exposed to this agent. All 3 lines exhibited relative MTX resistance with ID50 values of greater than 1 microM. Drug uptake studies were performed over an extracellular concentration range of 0.1 to 10 microM MTX. The uptake was linear over the initial 10 min at all concentrations and subsequently reached plateau levels only at the 10 microM concentration. Lineweaver-Burke transformations yielded apparent Km (uptake) values of 1.4 to 5 microM, similar to data obtained from other human cell lines. The level of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) in the human melanoma cells ranged between 8.42 to 11.98 pmoles/mg protein. The melanoma DHFR levels are several fold higher than in MTX-sensitive human tumor lines and up to a hundred-fold higher than that measured in human brain tumor cells by our assay. The intrinsic resistance of these melanoma lines has therefore been attributed to elevated intracellular levels of DHFR.
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PMID:Natural resistance to methotrexate in human melanomas. 743 Jul

Expression systems were developed for evaluating recombinant human thrombomodulin (TM) production in different host cell lines by investigating the performance of five mammalian expression vectors. The expression vectors were constructed so that they contain multiple monocistronic gene cassettes which include a gene encoding a dominant selectable marker, HyR (hygromycin B phosphotransferase), under the regulation of the thymidine kinase promoter, the target gene which encodes a truncated human re-TM under the regulation of various promoters, an amplifiable gene (Dhfr) encoding murine dihydrofolate reductase under the regulation of either the SV40 early or late promoter along with the SV40 enhancer and the SV40 ori. We tested the performance of the five expression vectors in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293), baby hamster kidney cells (BHK), human melanoma cells (CHL-1) and Dhfr- Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO/Dhfr-). We found that the efficiency of DNA uptake, transient expression and stable expression of the different expression vectors were all cell-line dependent. However, the myeloproliferative sarcoma virus (MPSV) LTR promoter consistently showed higher expression levels in all cell lines, particularly in HEK293 cells. These results were confirmed by the distribution curves of the level of expression of individual clones. Furthermore, by amplifying Dhfr in transfected CHO/Dhfr- cells with 100 nM methotrexate, we achieved a 20-fold increase in re-TM production using the SV40 late promoter to control murine Dhfr expression. Our data from DNA and mRNA analysis reveal that pMPSV-TM has a high transcription efficiency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Expression efficiency of the human thrombomodulin-encoding gene in various vector and host systems. 752 46

We compared (i) the enhancer/promoter (mCMV promoter) from the murine cytomegalovirus (CMV) major immediate early gene,(ii) the enhancer/promoter from human CMV major immediate early gene, containing a short promoter (h1CMV) or a long stretch of 5' untranslated region (UTR) from the gene promoter (h2CMV) and (iii) the simian virus 40 (SV40) enhancer/early region promoter (SV2) for their ability to direct foreign gene expression in transiently transfected mammalian cell lines. Two series of recombinant plasmids containing the different viral promoters fused to the cat reporter gene and 3'-UTR for processing of transcripts from either the SV40 early region or the rabbit Beta 1-globin-encoding gene (Glb) were also analyzed for their effect on transient gene expression. The mCMV was the most active in dihydrofolate reductase-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHOdhfr-) cells and BALB/3T3 clone A31 mouse embryo cells. The h2CMV was more active than the other promoters in Bowes human melanoma cells and in Vero African green monkey kidney cells. In human hepatoma (Hep G2) cells, similar levels of CAT synthesis were observed with the h2CMV- and the mCMV-based vectors. In Hep G2 and Bowes cells, 3'-UTR from the SV40 early region resulted in consistently higher levels of cat expression, as compared to the rabbit beta 1-Glb gene, while the converse was true in BALB/3T3 clone A31 and Vero cells. SV40 early region and rabbit beta1-Glb gene 3'-UTR resulted in similar cat expression in CHOdhfr- cells.
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PMID:Efficiency of different viral promoters in directing gene expression in mammalian cells: effect of 3'-untranslated sequences. 865 43

We have analyzed the organization of the homogeneously staining regions (HSRs) in chromosomes from a methotrexate-resistant mouse melanoma cell line. Fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques were used to localize satellite DNA sequences and the amplified copies of the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene that confer drug-resistance, in combination with immunofluorescence using antibody probes to differentiate chromatin structure. We show that the major DNA species contained in the HSRs is mouse major satellite, confirming previous reports, and that this is interspersed with DHFR DNA in an alternating tandem array that can be resolved at the cytological level. Mouse minor satellite DNA, which is normally located at centromeres, is also distributed along the HSRs, but does not appear to interfere with centromere function. The blocks of major satellite DNA are coincident with chromatin domains that are labelled by an autoantibody that recognizes a mammalian homologue of Drosophila heterochromatin-associated protein 1, shown previously to be confined to centric heterochromatin in mouse. An antiserum that specifically recognizes acetylated histone H4, a marker for active chromatin, fails to bind to the satellite DNA domains, but labels the intervening segments containing DHFR DNA. We can find no evidence for the spreading of the inactive chromatin domains into adjacent active chromatin, even after extended passaging of cells in the absence of methotrexate selection.
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PMID:Chromatin organization in the homogeneously staining regions of a methotrexate-resistant mouse cell line: interspersion of inactive and active chromatin domains distinguished by acetylation of histone H4. 888 73

Recent evidence suggests that combination therapy of cancer with receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitors, which are usually cytostatic, with conventional chemotherapeutic agents, which are usually cytotoxic, provide an improved treatment option. We have designed, synthesized, and evaluated a series of novel 2,4-diamino-5-substituted furo[2,3-d]pyrimidines with RTK and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitory activity in single molecules, as potential cytostatic and cytotoxic agents with antitumor activity. These compounds were synthesized from 2,4-diamino-5-chloromethyl furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine and aryl methyl ketones using the Wittig reaction to afford the C-8-C-9 unsaturated analogs followed by catalytic reduction to the corresponding saturated compounds. The saturated and unsaturated C-8-C-9 bridged compounds were evaluated as inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR-2, Flk, KDR), epidermal growth factor receptor, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta (PDGFR-beta). Selected analogs were also evaluated as antiangiogenic agents in the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. The compounds were also evaluated as inhibitors of human (h) DHFR and Toxoplasma gondii (tg) DHFR. In each evaluation, a known standard compound was used as a comparison. Of the compounds evaluated, compound 32 was as potent as the standard compounds against VEGFR-2 and PDGFR-beta, showing dual inhibitory activity against RTK. This analog was also highly effective in the CAM assay. A second analog 18 also demonstrated dual VEGFR-2 and PDGFR-beta inhibitory activity as well as potent antiangiogenic activity in the CAM assay. Four additional analogs were also effective against PDGFR-beta and in the CAM assay. An unsaturated C-8-C-9 moiety was necessary for RTK inhibitory activity. Compound 32 also showed inhibitory activity against hDHFR and tgDHFR, illustrating the multitarget inhibitory potential of these analogs. The biological activity of these analogs also suggests the necessity of an unsaturated C-8-C-9 bridge for dual RTK and DHFR inhibitory activity. Compounds 18 and 32 were also evaluated in a B16 melanoma mouse model and were found to be more active as antitumor agents than methotrexate. In addition, both 18 and 32 were also active in decreasing lung metastases in a mouse model of B16 melanomas.
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PMID:Novel 5-substituted, 2,4-diaminofuro[2,3-d]pyrimidines as multireceptor tyrosine kinase and dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors with antiangiogenic and antitumor activity. 1603 63

ILEX Oncology is developing the dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor, piritrexim (discovered originally by Burroughs Wellcome), for the potential treatment of cancer. It is in phase II clinical trials for malignant fibrous histiocytoma. ILEX conducted phase II clinical trials in the US and Europe with piritrexim in bladder cancer patients; however, development for this indication was discontinued in the third quarter of 1998 due to lack of efficacy. The company also initiated phase III trials in early 1997 for the treatment of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, but no further development for this indication has been reported since that time. Piritrexim was discovered by Burroughs Wellcome, which conducted phase I and II clinical trials in more than 700 patients. Due to its potentially superior properties to those of methotrexate, it was expected that piritrexim would be active in certain methotrexate-resistant tumors. Tumor responses were noted in patients with advanced bladder cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, colon cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancer and other cancer types. In published phase II studies, piritrexim demonstrated objective response rates ranging from 23 to 75% in patients with advanced bladder cancer who failed a standard first-line chemotherapy regimen. In March 1995, ILEX acquired an exclusive, worldwide license to patents held by Burroughs Wellcome covering the composition and use of piritrexim for all cancer indications. Under the terms of the agreement, ILEX paid a licensing fee and is obligated to pay Wellcome royalties on net sales of piritrexim. In December 1996, ILEX formed a joint venture with MPI Enterprises for the manufacture and marketing of piritrexim.
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PMID:Piritrexim (ILEX Oncology). 1611 90

Despite presenting bioavailability problems, tea catechins have emerged as promising chemopreventive agents because of their observed efficacy in various animal models. To improve the stability and cellular absorption of tea polyphenols, we developed a new catechin-derived compound, 3- O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin (TMECG), which has shown significant antiproliferative activity against several cancer cell lines, especially melanoma. The presence of methoxy groups in its ester-bound gallyl moiety drastically decreased its antioxidant and prooxidant properties without affecting its cell-antiproliferative effects, and the data indicated that the 3-gallyl moiety was essential for its biological activity. As regards its action mechanism, we demonstrated that TMECG binds efficiently to human dihydrofolate reductase and down-regulates folate cycle gene expression in melanoma cells. Disruption of the folate cycle by TMECG is a plausible explanation for its observed biological effects and suggests that, like other antifolate compounds, TMECG could be of clinical value in cancer therapy.
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PMID:Synthesis and biological activity of a 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl ester analogue of epicatechin-3-gallate. 1832 63

N6-Benzoyladenine-cyanoborane (2), and 6-triphenylphosphonylpurine-cyanoborane (3) were selected for investigation of cytotoxicity in murine and human tumor cell lines, effects on human HL-60 leukemic metabolism and DNA strand scission to determine the feasibility of these compounds as clinical antineoplastic agents. Compounds 2 and 3 both showed effective cytotoxicity based on ED(50) values less than 4 mug/ml for L1210, P388, HL-60, Tmolt(3), HUT-78, HeLa-S(3) uterine, ileum HCT-8, and liver Hepe-2. Compound 2 had activity against ovary 1-A9, while compound 3 was only active against prostate PL and glioma UM. Neither compound was active against the growth of lung 549, breast MCF-7, osteosarcoma HSO, melanoma SK2, KB nasopharynx, and THP-1 acute monocytic leukemia. In mode of action studies in human leukemia HL-60 cells, both compounds demonstrated inhibition of DNA and protein syntheses after 60 min at 100 muM. These compounds inhibited RNA synthesis to a lesser extent. The utilization of the DNA template was suppressed by the compounds as determined by inhibition of the activities of DNA polymerase alpha, m-RNA polymerase, r-RNA polymerase and t-RNA polymerase, which would cause adequate inhibition of the synthesis of both DNA and RNA. Both compounds markedly inhibited dihydrofolate reductase activity, especially in compound 2. The compounds appeared to have caused cross-linking of the DNA strands after 24 hr at 100 muM in HL-60 cells, which was consistent with the observed increased in ct-DNA viscosity after 24 hr at 100 muM. The compounds had no inhibitory effects on DNA topoisomerase I and II activities or DNA-protein linked breaks. Neither compound interacted with the DNA molecule itself through alkylation of the nucleotide bases nor caused DNA interculation between base pairs. Overall, these antineoplastic agents caused reduction of DNA and protein replication, which would lead to killing of cancer cells.
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PMID:Synthesis and cytotoxicity of cyanoborane adducts of n6-benzoyladenine and 6-triphenylphosphonylpurine. 1847 22

Human melanoma is a significant clinical problem because it is resistant to treatment by most chemotherapeutic agents, including antifolates. It is therefore a desirable goal to develop a second generation of low-toxicity antifolate drugs to overcome acquired resistance to the prevention and treatment of this skin pathology. In our efforts to improve the stability and bioavailability of green tea polyphenols for cancer therapy, we synthesized a trimethoxy derivative of epicatechin-3-gallate, which showed high antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity against melanoma. This derivative, 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin (TMECG), is a prodrug that is selectively activated by the specific melanocyte enzyme tyrosinase. Upon activation, TMECG generates a stable quinone methide product that strongly inhibits dihydrofolate reductase in an irreversible manner. The treatment of melanoma cells with TMECG also affected cellular folate transport and the gene expression of DHFR, which supported the antifolate nature of this compound. In addition, its pharmacological efficacy has been confirmed in a mouse melanoma model, in which tumor growth and metastasis were inhibited, significantly enhancing the mean survival of the treated groups. TMECG, therefore, shows a potential for clinical use in melanoma therapy.
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PMID:Melanoma activation of 3-o-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin to a potent irreversible inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase. 1935 68

In our search to improve the stability and cellular absorption of tea polyphenols, we synthesized 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin (TMECG), which showed high antiproliferative activity against melanoma. TMECG downregulates dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) expression in melanoma cells and we detail the sequential mechanisms that result from this even. TMECG is specifically activated in melanoma cells to form a stable quinone methide (TMECG-QM). TMECG-QM has a dual action on these cells. First, it acts as a potent antifolate compound, disrupting folate metabolism and increasing intracellular oxidized folate coenzymes, such as dihydrofolate, which is a non-competitive inhibitor of dihydropterine reductase, an enzyme essential for tetrahydrobiopterin (H(4)B) recycling. Such inhibition results in H(4)B deficiency, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling and superoxide production. Second, TMECG-QM acts as an efficient superoxide scavenger and promotes intra-cellular H(2)O(2) accumulation. Here, we present evidence that TMECG markedly reduces melanoma H(4)B and NO bioavailability and that TMECG action is abolished by the eNOS inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester or the H(2)O(2) scavenger catalase, which strongly suggests H(2)O(2)-dependent DHFR downregulation. In addition, the data presented here indicate that the simultaneous targeting of important pathways for melanoma survival, such as the folate cycle, H(4)B recycling, and the eNOS reaction, could represent an attractive strategy for fighting this malignant skin pathology.
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PMID:Mechanism of dihydrofolate reductase downregulation in melanoma by 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin. 2056 35


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