Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.1.1.45 (thymidylate synthase)
 3,600 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A number of antifolate drugs, which inhibit the key enzymes in the 'thymidylate cycle', dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and thymidylate synthase (TS), have been developed as part of the search for analogues with superior antitumor efficacy to a 'classical' antifolate, methotrexate (MTX), and those which are active against the MTX-resistant tumor cells. Recent development of newer classes of antifolate drugs is based on the extensive understanding of the relationship between chemical structures and biological properties and of analogue interactions with target enzymes, transport proteins and folate metabolizing enzyme, folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS). Tumor cells may develop resistance to an antifolate drug by virtue of, (1) amplified activity in its target enzyme, (2) impaired function of drug transport protein, e.g. reduced folate carrier (RFC), (3) induction of mutated target enzyme with low affinity for antifolate(s), and (4) defective polyglutamation of drug(s) in the cells. Recent studies have elucidated in part the molecular events involved in the resistance to antifolates. These include amplification and/or mutation of the gene encoding a target enzyme, reduced or altered gene expression of the RFC, and mutated expression of the FPGS gene. To overcome or circumvent the resistance mechanisms, new antifolates with diverse structures and different biological properties have been designed and developed for clinical use. Trimetrexate (TMQ), a lipophilic DHFR inhibitor which is not a substrate for RFC and FPGS, could overcome the MTX-resistance through impaired RFC and diminished polyglutamation, and partially through amplified DHFR. Selective inhibitors of TS with a folate structure such as raltitrexed could circumvent the resistance by virtue of DHFR overproduction, and this class of compounds which have higher substrate activities for FPGS than MTX may be of value for the treatment of myeloid leukemias in addition to lymphocytic malignancies resistant to conventional chemotherapy. Several strategies to overcome antifolate resistance by using gene therapy are currently under investigation.
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PMID:Cellular and molecular mechanisms of resistance to antifolate drugs: new analogues and approaches to overcome the resistance. 947 73

The resistance to folate-based antifolates is associated with impaired function of the reduced folate carrier (RFC), one of the major routes of folate transport into cancer cells. To clarify the importance of RFC functions in the antifolate resistance, we have examined the expression of RFC1 and its phenotype as a folate transporter in human leukemia cell lines resistant to various antifolates. MOLT-3 cells resistant to ZD9331 (a thymidylate synthase (TS) inhibitor that utilizes the RFC for cell entry) (MOLT-3/ZD9331) showed decreased expression of RFC1 concomitant with diminished cellular uptake of [3H]methotrexate (MTX). K562 cells resistant to raltitrexed (ZD1694, another TS inhibitor that utilizes the RFC for cell entry) (K562/ ZD1694 x C) scarcely expressed RFC1, which is in accordance with the impaired uptake of folate analogs and the high degree of resistance to ZD1694 and MTX. On the other hand, no apparent decrease of RFCI1 expression was found in transport-deficient MTX-resistant MOLT-3 cells (MOLT-3/MTX10000) though its phenotype showed defective transport of MTX or ZD1694. In these cell lines with impaired RFC function, [3H]leucovorin (LV) uptake was only moderately decreased as compared to [3H]MTX or [3H]ZD1694 uptake. These cells grew with a minimal retardation in folate-free medium supplemented with 10 nM LV, suggesting that these cell lines with impaired RFC function had enough folate transporters to transport LV. In contrast to downregulation of RFC, the much greater uptake of [3H]MTX was observed in the MOLT-3/trimetrexate (TMQ)800-MTX10000 in parallel with increased RFC1 expression. These cell lines with the altered expression of RFC1 may serve as models useful for investigating the regulation of RFC1 expression and for understanding the molecular mechanism(s) behind the transport-mediated antifolate resistance.
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PMID:Variable expression of RFC1 in human leukemia cell lines resistant to antifolates. 950 Feb 2

ZD9331 is a non-polyglutamatable, potent quinazoline antifolate inhibitor of thymidylate synthase (TS). In an effort to clarify the exact mechanism of resistance to this novel TS inhibitor, we examined the molecular alterations in its target enzyme TS, the transport protein (reduced folate carrier, RFC), and folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS) in a human acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line, MOLT-3, made resistant to ZD9331. A 310-fold resistant subline was established after 6 months exposure to the drug at concentrations up to 7 microM, and was designated MOLT-3/ ZD9331. MOLT-3/ZD9331 showed crossresistance to CB3717 (4.8-fold), raltitrexed (63-fold) and methotrexate (MTX) (120-fold), but retained sensitivity to trimetrexate (0.88-fold). The resistant cells demonstrated impaired initial cellular uptake and low accumulation of [3H]MTX in accordance with a decreased expression of RFC1, suggesting the downregulation of RFC. However, Southern blot analysis demonstrated no change in gene copy number nor gross rearrangement of RFC1 in the resistant cells. In addition, MOLT-3/ZD9331 showed amplification of the TS gene with a concomitantly increased level in the gene expression. In contrast, the expression of FPGS did not alter. These results demonstrate that continuous exposure of the cells to ZD9331 leads not only to a decreased expression of RFC1 but also to TS gene amplification and overexpression. The resistant mechanisms are likely to be regulated both at a genetic and a transcriptional level for different resistance phenotypes in the ZD9331-resistant MOLT-3 cells.
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PMID:Molecular characterization of human acute leukemia cell line resistant to ZD9331, a non-polyglutamatable thymidylate synthase inhibitor. 965 9

ZD9331 is a drug that was developed from a potent class of water-soluble, C7-methyl-substituted, quinazoline-based inhibitors of thymidylate synthase (TS) that are transported into cells via a saturable, carrier-mediated system (reduced folate carrier, or RFC) but are not substrates for folylpolyglutamate synthetase. ZD9331 is the gamma-tetrazole analogue of 2-desamino-2, 7-dimethyl-N10-propargyl-2'fluoro-5,8-dideaza folate (ZM214888), with a TS Ki of approximately 0.4 nM. ZD9331 exhibits potent growth inhibitory and cytotoxic activity; e.g., IC50 for the inhibition of human W1L2 lymphoblastoid cell line was 7 nM. The addition of thymidine to the culture medium increased the IC50 in W1L2 cells >10, 000-fold, demonstrating the high specificity of the drug for TS. ZD9331 is transported into cells predominantly via the RFC. Accordingly, it competes with methotrexate (MTX) and folinic acid for cellular uptake and has reduced activity against two cell lines with low expression of the RFC (L1210:1565 and CEM/MTX). In addition, a cell line with acquired resistance to ZD9331 displays reduced uptake of both ZD9331 and MTX. A mouse cell line (L1210:RD1694), with acquired resistance to ZD1694 due to reduced folylpolyglutamate synthetase activity, was not significantly cross-resistant to ZD9331. The flux through TS, as measured by 3H release from 5-[3H]deoxyuridine, was rapidly inhibited when cells were incubated with ZD9331. However, because ZD9331 cannot form polyglutamates, TS activity recovered rapidly once cells were placed in drug-free medium. The minimum curative dose of ZD9331 in the i.m. L5178Y TK-/- tumor model was approximately 3 mg/kg when given by 24-h continuous infusion, and it was 25-50 mg/kg when given by a single i.p. or i.v. injection. ZD9331 had antitumor activity against the L5178Y TK+/- tumor when administered by 7-day continuous infusion; growth delays of more than 5 days (and some cures) were seen at doses of 25-50 mg/kg/day. At higher doses, significant weight loss (gastrointestinal toxicity) and myelosuppression (neutropenia and thrombocytopenia) were observed, suggesting that these may be dose-limiting toxicities in the Phase I clinical studies.
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PMID:Cellular pharmacology and in vivo activity of a new anticancer agent, ZD9331: a water-soluble, nonpolyglutamatable, quinazoline-based inhibitor of thymidylate synthase. 981 66

Folate analogues that inhibit thymidylate synthase (TS) selectively were developed based on TS and folate molecular structures and properties. The structure-activity relationship, preclinical and clinical development, and issues of potential importance in the future success of these TS inhibitors are reviewed herein. Properties of these new compounds depend mainly on the use of the reduced folate carrier (RFC) proteins for cellular entry and on intracellular polyglutamation, which augments TS inhibitory function and cellular retention. CB3717 [Zeneca (formerly ICI Pharmaceuticals), Macclesfield, United Kingdom], the first selective TS inhibitor developed, demonstrated antineoplastic activity in Phase I trials, but its development was abandoned due to nephrotoxicity. ZD1694 (Tomudex; Zeneca), a water-soluble, nonnephrotoxic quinazoline, demonstrated activity in colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancer. Phase III trials of Tomudex in advanced colorectal cancer were completed recently. LY231514 (Eli Lilly Research Labs, Indianapolis, IN) uses the RFC and polyglutamation to exert its selective TS inhibitory action. Phase I trials of this compound have been completed. ZD9331 (Zeneca), currently in preclinical studies, was designed to obviate the use of the RFC for cellular entry. 1843U89 (Glaxo-Wellcome, Research Triangle Park, NC), currently in Phase I trial, does not require the RFC; polyglutamation of this potent TS inhibitor leads to its higher cellular retention without augmenting its TS inhibitory activity. Currently in clinical trials, AG337 (p.o. and i.v. forms) and AG331 (both by Agouron, La Jolla, CA) are lipophilic potent TS inhibitors with action independent of the RFC and polyglutamation. Multiple mechanisms through which cells may overcome TS inhibition have been described. Combining TS inhibitors with other agents that affect TS, interfere with TS gene and mRNA regulation, or inhibit salvage mechanisms of thymidylate depletion may potentially enable greater clinical utility of this class of compounds.
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PMID:Thymidylate synthase inhibitors. 981 65

The detrimental effect of chronic administration of carbamazepine (CBZ) on serum and erythrocyte folates of patients has been extensively analyzed. However, at present, no data have been reported on the effect of CBZ on the intracellular content and activity of antimetabolite cytotoxic agents that can be used together with CBZ in the treatment of cancer patients. To investigate this issue, we chronically exposed in vitro the human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 (grown under physiological folate concentrations) to CBZ, thus selecting SKOV-CBZ clones (SKOV-CBZ-50-2, SKOV-CBZ-50-5 and SKOV-CBZ-100-2) able to grow in the continuous presence of the antiepileptic drug. All of the SKOV-CBZ clones were more resistant to methotrexate (MTX) than the parental cells. MTX resistance index, as determined by the ratio between MTX concentrations inhibiting cell growth by 50% (MTX IC(50)) in SKOV-CBZ clones and in the parental cells, ranged between 3- and 5-fold. This resistance was related to a reduced intracellular content of MTX. No alteration activity of the cellular enzymes directly involved in MTX cytotoxicity (dihydrofolate reductase, thymidylate synthase [TS] and folylpolyglutamate synthetase) was observed. SKOV-CBZ clones were cross-resistant to the TS inhibitors tomudex and CB3717, but not to the TS inhibitor 5-fluoro-deoxy uridine and other antineoplastic drugs (cisplatin, doxorubicin, vincristine and taxol), whose cellular uptake is derived from transmembrane transport mechanisms different from folate receptor alpha (FRalpha) or reduced folate carrier (RFC). FRalpha mRNA and protein levels were significantly lower in SKOV-CBZ clones than in the parental cells. The reduced level of FRalpha in SKOV-CBZ clones was associated with a decreased binding capacity of folic acid. No variation of mRNA RFC expression in the SKOV-CBZ clones as compared to the parental cells was observed. Thus, after chronic exposure to CBZ, SKOV-CBZ clones develop resistance towards MTX due to defective MTX uptake.
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PMID:Resistance to methotrexate in SKOV-3 cell lines after chronic exposure to carbamazepine is associated with a decreased expression of folate receptor. 1069 49

We have studied the molecular basis for the resistance of human CEM leukemia cells to GW1843, a thymidylate synthase inhibitor. GW1843-resistant cells displayed a approximately 100-fold resistance to GW1843 and methotrexate but were collaterally sensitive to the lipophilic antifolates trimetrexate and AG337, which enter cells by diffusion. These cells exhibited a 12-fold decreased methotrexate influx but surprisingly had a 2-fold decreased folic acid growth requirement. This was associated with a 4-fold increased influx of folic acid, a 3.5-fold increased steady-state level of folic acid, and a 2.3-fold expansion of the cellular folate pool. Characterization of the transport kinetic properties revealed that GW1843-resistant cells had the following alterations: (a) 11-fold decreased transport K(m) for folic acid; (b) 6-fold increased transport K(m) for GW1843; and (c) a slightly increased transport V(max) for folic acid. Sequence analysis showed that GW1843-resistant cells contained the mutations Val-29 --> Leu, Glu-45 --> Lys, and Ser-46 --> Ile in the first transmembrane domain of the reduced folate carrier. Transfection of the mutant-reduced folate carrier cDNA into methotrexate transport null cells conferred resistance to GW1843. This is the first demonstration of multiple mutations in a confined region of the human reduced folate carrier in an antifolate-resistant mutant. We conclude that certain amino acid residues in the first transmembrane domain play a key role in (anti)folate binding and in the conferring of drug resistance.
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PMID:Clustering of mutations in the first transmembrane domain of the human reduced folate carrier in GW1843U89-resistant leukemia cells with impaired antifolate transport and augmented folate uptake. 1089 64

Cancer cell lines in standard cell culture medium or in animal models are surrounded by an environment with relatively high folate (HF) levels, compared with folate levels in human plasma. In the present study we adapted 4 colon cancer (C26-A, C26-10, C26-G and WiDr) and 3 squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) cell lines (11B, 14C and 22B) to culture medium with low folate (LF) levels (2.5, 1.0 and 0.5 nM, respectively) and investigated whether folate depletion had an effect on sensitivity to antifolates and which mechanisms were involved. All LF cell lines showed a higher sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) alone or in combination with leucovorin (LV) (2-5-fold), to the thymidylate synthase (TS) inhibitors, AG337 (2-7-fold), ZD1694 (3-49-fold), ZD9331 (3-40-fold), LY231514 (2-21-fold) or GW1843U89 (4-29-fold) or to the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitor PT523 (2-50-fold) compared with their HF variants cultured in standard medium containing up to 8 microM folic acid. LV could only increase sensitivity to 5-FU in HNSCC cell lines 14C and 14C/F. The differences in sensitivity could partially be explained by a 2-7-fold increased transport activity of the reduced folate carrier (RFC) in LF cell lines, whereas no significant change in folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS) activity was observed. Furthermore, the protein expression and catalytic activity of the target enzyme TS were up to 7-fold higher in HF colon cancer cells compared with the LF variants (p < 0.05). Although the TS protein expression in LF HNSCC cells was also lower than in HF variants, the TS catalytic activity and FdUMP binding sites were up to 3-fold higher (p < 0.05). Thus, changes in TS levels were associated with differences in sensitivity. These results indicate that folate depletion was associated with changes in TS and RFC levels which resulted in an increase in sensitivity to 5-FU and antifolates. The folate levels in LF medium used in this study are more representative for folate levels in human plasma and therefore these data could be more predictive for the activity of 5-FU and antifolates in a clinical setting than results obtained from cell lines cultured in HF medium or in animal models.
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PMID:Folate depletion increases sensitivity of solid tumor cell lines to 5-fluorouracil and antifolates. 1095 84

Drug resistance of leukemic blasts is correlated to event-free survival and might be predicted by mRNA expression of drug resistance-related proteins. Methotrexate (MTX) is an important component in the treatment of childhood leukemia. Mechanisms of MTX resistance include (1) decreased transport via the reduced folate carrier (RFC), (2) altered levels of target enzymes, eg dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and thymidylate synthase (TS), (3) decreased ratio of folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS)/folylpolyglutamate hydrolase (FPGH). We designed competitive templates for each of these genes to measure mRNA expression by quantitative RT-PCR and normalized the expression to that of beta-actin. T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), relatively MTX resistant compared to common/preB-ALL, displayed higher mRNA levels of DHFR and TS (three- and four-fold higher, respectively; P < 0.001), while FPGS expression was lower (three-fold, P = 0.006) compared to common/preB-ALL. The ratio of (DHFR x FPGH)/(RFC x FPGS) was more discriminating between T-ALL and c/preB-ALL (eight-fold higher; P < 0.001) than either target independently. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, considered MTX resistant, expressed two-fold lower levels of FPGS mRNA compared to c/preB-ALL (P = 0.04). The ratio of FPGH/FPGS was more discriminating between AML and c/preB-ALL (four-fold higher; P = 0.001) than either target independently. For the total group of 79 leukemic samples, mRNA expression of DHFR varied 549-fold and paralleled TS mRNA expression (r = 0.80; P < 0.001). Although variations in mRNA expression resembled variations in functional activity, no direct correlations were found for RFC (58-fold variation in mRNA expression), FPGS (95-fold) and FPGH (178-fold). In conclusion, differences in mRNA expression of MTX resistance parameters between leukemic subtypes as detected by competitive RT-PCR are in line with known differences in MTX resistance.
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PMID:mRNA expression levels of methotrexate resistance-related proteins in childhood leukemia as determined by a standardized competitive template-based RT-PCR method. 1118 7

We determined the mechanisms of resistance of human CCRF-CEM leukemia cells to methotrexate (MTX) vs. those to six novel antifolates: the polyglutamatable thymidylate synthase (TS) inhibitors ZD1694, multitargeted antifolate, pemetrexed, ALIMTA (MTA) and GW1843U89, the non-polyglutamatable inhibitors of TS, ZD9331, and dihydrofolate reductase, PT523, as well as DDATHF, a polyglutamatable glycinamide ribonucleotide transformylase inhibitor. CEM cells were made resistant to these drugs by clinically relevant intermittent 24 hr exposures to 5-10 microM of MTX, ZD1694, GW1843U89, MTA and DDATHF, by intermittent 72 hr exposures to 5 microM of ZD9331 and by continuous exposure to stepwise increasing concentrations of ZD9331, GW1843U89 and PT523. Development of resistance required only 3 cycles of intermittent drug exposure to ZD1694 and MTA, but 5 cycles for MTX, DDATHF and GW1843U89 and 8 cycles for ZD9331. The predominant mechanism of resistance to ZD1694, MTA, MTX and DDATHF was impaired polyglutamylation due to approximately 10-fold decreased folylpolyglutamate synthetase activity. Resistance to intermittent exposures to GW1843U89 and ZD9331 was associated with a 2-fold decreased transport via the reduced folate carrier (RFC). The CEM cell lines resistant to intermittent exposures to MTX, ZD1694, MTA, DDATHF, GW1843U89 and ZD9331 displayed a depletion (up to 4-fold) of total intracellular reduced folate pools. Resistance to continuous exposure to ZD9331 was caused by a 14-fold increase in TS activity. CEM/GW70, selected by continuous exposure to GW1843U89 was 50-fold resistant to GW1843U89, whereas continuous exposure to PT523 generated CEM/PT523 cells that were highly resistant (1550-fold) to PT523. Both CEM/GW70 and CEM/PT523 displayed cross-resistance to several antifolates that depend on the RFC for cellular uptake, including MTX (95- and 530-fold). CEM/GW70 cells were characterized by a 12-fold decreased transport of [3H]MTX. Interestingly, however, CEM/GW70 cells displayed an enhanced transport of folic acid, consistent with the expression of a structurally altered RFC resulting in a 2.6-fold increase of intracellular folate pools. CEM/PT523 cells displayed a markedly impaired (100-fold) transport of [3H]MTX along with 12-fold decreased total folate pools. In conclusion, multifunctional mechanisms of resistance in CEM cells have a differential impact on cellular folate homeostasis: decreased polyglutamylation and transport defects lead to folate depletion, whereas a structurally altered RFC protein can provoke expanded intracellular folate pools.
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PMID:Multiple mechanisms of resistance to methotrexate and novel antifolates in human CCRF-CEM leukemia cells and their implications for folate homeostasis. 1184 83


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