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There is multiple evidence linking the inhibition of DNA topoisomerases I and II with the cytotoxic effects of antitumor drugs such as camptothecin and the DNA intercalators, 4-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidine) (mAMSA) and Adriamycin. We have assessed the effect of the DNA intercalator 3-nitrobenzothiazolo(3,2-a)quinolinium (NBQ) on the DNA topoisomerase I and II activities. NBQ has no effect on the activity of purified topoisomerase I, whereas it induced purified topoisomerase II binding to DNA without inducing DNA scission. Above 30 microM, NBQ stimulated formation of double- and single-strand breaks mediated by topoisomerase II in plasmid DNA. Using the alkaline elution technique we determined that NBQ induced single-strand and DNA-protein-associated breaks in the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60. At sublethal concentrations (less than or equal to 1 microM), NBQ induce HL-60 cells to differentiate. Topoisomerase II-mediated DNA cleavage induced by mAMSA was substantially reduced in NBQ-differentiated cells. Our data suggest that topoisomerase II could play a major role in the biological activity of NBQ in vivo.

With the aim of obtaining new inhibitors of topoisomerases, we have evaluated various heterocyclic quinone derivatives for their ability to induce topoisomerase I (Topo I)- or Topo II-associated DNA breaks, using P388 cell nuclear extract. Several compounds belonging to the indolo[3,2-c]quinoline-1,4-dione series have been shown to possess DNA-cleavage activity. Further analysis using purified Topo I and II preparations has indicated that the members of the series stimulate cleavable complex formation of both Topo I and II. 3-Methoxy-11H-pyrido[3',4':4,5]pyrrolo[3,2-c] quinoline-1,4-dione (AzalQD), one of the most active members of the series, stimulates cleavable complex formation and inhibits the catalytic activities of both eukaryotic Topo I and II, with, however, less potency than camptothecin and etoposide. Topo I cleavage site patterns for AzalQD and camptothecin were found to be nearly identical, with, however, some differences in cleavage site intensities. Use of filter binding assays also indicates that AzalQD is at least 10 times more potent against Topo I than against Topo II. Structure-activity relationships of indoloquinolinedione derivatives have been established and have shown that Topo I and II inhibitions are strongly linked, with a dose-selective preference towards Topo I. AzalQD does not display detectable DNA-unwinding properties. AzalQD induces a preferential cytotoxicity for the yeast strain JN2-134 bearing the human top1 gene under the control fo the GAL1 promoter, indicating that Topo I inhibition is responsible for the yeast cytotoxicity. These data indicate that AzalQD and its structural analogs represent a new distinct class of eukaryotic Topo I and II inhibitors.

The mechanisms of action of intoplicine (RP-60475), a 7H-benzo[e]pyrido[4,3-b]indole derivative that is presently in early clinical trials, have been investigated. Intoplicine induced both topoisomerase I- and II-mediated DNA strand breaks, using purified topoisomerases. The topoisomerase cleavage site patterns induced by intoplicine were unique, relative to those of camptothecin, 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidide (m-AMSA), and other known topoisomerase inhibitors. Both topoisomerase I- and II-induced DNA breaks decreased at drug concentrations higher than 1 microM, which is consistent with the DNA-intercalating activity of intoplicine. DNA damage was investigated in KB cells in culture by using alkaline elution. Intoplicine induced single-strand breaks (SSB) in a bell-shaped manner with respect to drug concentration (maximum frequency at 1 microM approximately 220 rad-equivalents). SSB formation was fast, whereas reversal after drug removal was slow. Similar bell-shaped curves were obtained for DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) and DNA-protein cross-links. SSB and DNA-protein cross-link frequencies were approximately equal, and no protein-free breaks were detectable, indicating the protein concealment of the breaks, as expected for topoisomerase inhibition. Comparison of SSB and DSB frequencies indicated that intoplicine produced a significant amount of SSB not related to DSB, which is consistent with concomitant inhibition of both DNA topoisomerases I and II in cells. Data derived from resistant cell lines indicated that multidrug-resistant cells were cross-resistant to intoplicine but that m-AMSA- and camptothecin-resistant cells were sensitive to intoplicine. Hence, intoplicine might circumvent topoisomerase I-mediated and topoisomerase II-mediated resistance by poisoning both enzymes simultaneously.