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Tubulin self-association is a critical process in microtubule dynamics. The early intermediate structures, energetics, and their regulation by fluxes of chemical energy, associated with guanosine triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis, are poorly understood. We reconstituted an in vitro minimal model system, mimicking the key elements of the nontemplated tubulin assembly. To resolve the distribution of GTP- and guanosine diphosphate (GDP)-tubulin structures, at low temperatures (∼10 °C) and below the critical concentration for the microtubule assembly, we analyzed in-line size-exclusion chromatography-small-angle X-ray scattering (SEC-SAXS) chromatograms of GTP- and GDP-tubulin solutions. Both solutions rapidly attained steady state. The SEC-SAXS data were consistent with an isodesmic thermodynamic model of longitudinal tubulin self-association into 1D oligomers, terminated by the formation of tubulin single rings. The analysis showed that free dimers coexisted with tetramers and hexamers. Tubulin monomers and lateral association between dimers were not detected. The dimer-dimer longitudinal self-association standard Helmholtz free energies were -14.2 ± 0.4 kBT (-8.0 ± 0.2 kcal mol-1) and -13.1 ± 0.5 kBT (-7.4 ± 0.3 kcal mol-1) for GDP- and GTP-tubulin, respectively. We then determined the mass fractions of dimers, tetramers, and hexamers as a function of the total tubulin concentration. A small fraction of stable tubulin single rings, with a radius of 19.2 ± 0.2 nm, was detected in the GDP-tubulin solution. In the GTP-tubulin solution, this fraction was significantly lower. Cryo-TEM images and SEC-multiangle light-scattering analysis corroborated these findings. Our analyses provide an accurate structure-stability description of cold tubulin solutions.

Tubulin nucleation is a highly frequent event in microtubule (MT) dynamics but is poorly understood. In this work, we characterized the structural changes during the initial nucleation phase of dynamic tubulin. Using size-exclusion chromatography-eluted tubulin dimers in an assembly buffer solution free of glycerol and tubulin aggregates enabled us to start from a well-defined initial thermodynamic ensemble of isolated dynamic tubulin dimers and short oligomers. Following a temperature increase, time-resolved X-ray scattering and cryo-transmission electron microscopy during the initial nucleation phase revealed an isodesmic assembly mechanism of one-dimensional (1D) tubulin oligomers (where dimers were added and/or removed one at a time), leading to sufficiently stable two-dimensional (2D) dynamic nanostructures, required for MT assembly. A substantial amount of tubulin octamers accumulated before two-dimensional lattices appeared. Under subcritical assembly conditions, we observed a slower isodesmic assembly mechanism, but the concentration of 1D oligomers was insufficient to form the multistranded 2D nucleus required for MT formation.

ACS nano 15(5), 8836 - 8847 (2021). doi:10.1021/acsnano.1c01374, Tubulin, an essential cytoskeletal protein, assembles into various morphologies by interacting with an array of cellular factors. One of these factors is the endogenous polyamine spermine, which may promote and stabilize tubulin assemblies. Nevertheless, the assembled structures and their formation pathways are poorly known. Here we show that spermine induced the in vitro assembly of tubulin into several hierarchical architectures based on a tubulin conical-spiral subunit. Using solution X-ray scattering and cryo-TEM, we found that with progressive increase of spermine concentration tubulin dimers assembled into conical-frustum-spirals of increasing length, containing up to three helical turns. The subunits with three helical turns were then assembled into tubules through base-to-top packing and formed antiparallel bundles of tubulin conical-spiral tubules in a distorted hexagonal symmetry. Further increase of the spermine concentration led to inverted tubulin tubules assembled in hexagonal bundles. Time-resolved experiments revealed that tubulin assemblies formed at higher spermine concentrations assembled from intermediates, similar to those formed at low spermine concentrations. These results are distinct from the classical transition between twisted ribbons, helical, and tubular assemblies, and provide insight into the versatile morphologies that tubulin can form. Furthermore, they may contribute to our understanding of the interactions that control the composition and construction of protein-based biomaterials., Published by Soc., Washington, DC

Cold tubulin dimers coexist with tubulin oligomers and single-rings. These structures are involved in microtubule assembly, however, their dynamics are poorly understood. Using state-of-the-art solution synchrotron time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering we discovered a disassembly catastrophe (half-life of about 0.1 sec) of tubulin rings and oligomers upon dilution or addition of guanosine triphosphate. A slower disassembly (half-life of about 38 sec) was observed following a temperature increase. Our analysis showed that the assembly and disassembly processes were consistent with an isodesmic mechanism, involving a sequence of reversible reactions at which dimers were rapidly added/removed one at a time, terminated by a two orders-of-magnitude slower ring-closing/opening step. We revealed how assembly conditions varied the mass fraction of tubulin in each of the coexisting structures, the rate constants, and the standard Helmholtz free energies for closing a ring and for longitudinal dimer-dimer associations.

Tubulin nucleation, microtubule assembly, stability, and dynamics depend on fluxes of chemical energy, controlled by hydrolysis of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) to guanosine diphosphate (GDP), and nucleotide exchange reactions. In this paper, we determined how tubulin self-association in glycerol-free assembly buffers affects the rate of GTP hydrolysis and the thermodynamics of nucleotide exchange. In the absence of tubulin, GTP hydrolysis was negligible. In the presence of tubulin, below the critical conditions for microtubule assembly, no GTP hydrolysis was observed, even though tubulin 1D curved oligomers and single rings were formed, suggesting that GTP hydrolysis was not involved in their formation. Under conditions permitting spontaneous tubulin nucleation and microtubule assembly, GTP hydrolysis was detected and followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, limited by the rate of tubulin nucleation and microtubule assembly. By simultaneously determining the concentrations of tubulin-free and tubulin-bound GTP and GDP at steady-state, we investigated the nucleotide exchange reaction under conditions where GTP hydrolysis was negligible. The exchange reaction strongly depended on the molar ratio between tubulin-free GDP and GTP and the total tubulin concentration. To analyze these data, we used a thermodynamic model of isodesmic tubulin self-association, terminated by the formation of tubulin single-rings, to calculate the distribution of tubulin single rings, 1D oligomers, and free dimers, and thereby the molar fractions of tubulin dimers with exposed and buried nucleotide exchangeable sites (E-sites). Our data suggest that the exchange reaction occurred to a different extent on tubulin dimers with buried E-sites than on dimers with exposed E-sites.

We investigated how the self-association of isolated tubulin dimers affects the rate of GTP hydrolysis and the equilibrium of nucleotide exchange. Both reactions are relevant for microtubule (MT) dynamics. We used HPLC to determine the concentrations of GDP and GTP and thereby the GTPase activity of SEC-eluted tubulin dimers in assembly buffer solution, free of glycerol and tubulin aggregates. When GTP hydrolysis was negligible, the nucleotide exchange mechanism was studied by determining the concentrations of tubulin-free and tubulin-bound GTP and GDP. We observed no GTP hydrolysis below the critical conditions for MT assembly (either below the critical tubulin concentration and/or at low temperature), despite the assembly of tubulin 1D curved oligomers and single-rings, showing that their assembly did not involve GTP hydrolysis. Under conditions enabling spontaneous slow MT assembly, a slow pseudo-first-order GTP hydrolysis kinetics was detected, limited by the rate of MT assembly. Cryo-TEM images showed that GTP-tubulin 1D oligomers were curved also at 36 °C. Nucleotide exchange depended on the total tubulin concentration and the molar ratio between tubulin-free GDP and GTP. We used a thermodynamic model of isodesmic tubulin self-association, terminated by the formation of tubulin single-rings to determine the molar fractions of dimers with exposed and buried nucleotide exchangeable sites (E-sites). Our analysis shows that the GDP to GTP exchange reaction equilibrium constant was an order-of-magnitude larger for tubulin dimers with exposed E-sites than for assembled dimers with buried E-sites. This conclusion may have implications on the dynamics at the tip of the MT plus end.

Single and double tubulin rings were studied under a range of conditions and during microtubule (MT) assembly and disassembly. Here, tubulin was purified from porcine brain and used without any further modifications or additives that promote ring assembly. The structure of single GDP-rich tubulin rings was determined by cryo-transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron solution X-ray scattering. The scattering curves were fitted to atomic models, using our state-of-the-art analysis software, D+ . We found that there is a critical concentration for ring formation, which increased with GTP concentration with temperature. MT assembly or disassembly, induced by changes in temperature, was analyzed by time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering. During MT assembly, the fraction of rings and unassembled dimers simultaneously decreased. During MT disassembly, the mass fraction of dimers increased. The increase in the concentration of rings was delayed until the fraction of dimers was sufficiently high. We verified that pure dimers, eluted via size-exclusion chromatography, could also form rings. Interestingly, X-ray radiation triggered tubulin ring disassembly. The concentration of disassembled rings versus exposure time followed a first-order kinetics. The disassembly rate constant and initial concentration were determined. X-ray radiation-triggered disassembly was used to determine the concentration of rings. We confirmed that following a temperature jump, the mass fraction of rings decreased and then stabilized at a constant value during the first stage of the MT assembly kinetics. This study sheds light on the most basic assembly and disassembly conditions for in vitro single GDP-rich tubulin rings and their relation to MT kinetics.

Tubulin dimers are flexible entities serving as building blocks for construction of cellular polymers essential for the cytoskeleton. The conformational state of the dimer dictates the exact formation of assembly and can be regulated by cellular factors including spermine. Using solution X-ray scattering and cryo-TEM measurements we studied the behavior of tubulin assembly in the presence of millimolar spermine concentrations. The results discovered novel structural architectures of tubulin polymers and revealing fascinating hierarchical self-associations based on unique tubulin conical-spiral (TCS) subunits. We followed the assembly pathways of tubulin dimers with different spermine concentrations, from milliseconds to days, and discovered multiple phase transitions with increasing spermine concentration. At 1 mM spermine, tubulin assembled into tubulin helical-pitch (THP) structures, resembling tubulin-rings. Above 1.5 mM spermine, tubulin assembled into TCS architectures. TCS is a unique tubulin assembly, serving as a new building block subunit. TCS assembled into different architectures . The predominant structure was TCS-tube (TCST) that further assembled in a remarkable antiparallel orientation which formed bundles with 2D-cubic and unique quasi-2D hexagonal lattices. Each TCST in the quasi-2D hexagonal lattice was surrounded by four antiparallel TCSTs and two parallel TCSTs. All the above assemblies have never been observed before. At higher spermine concentrations, tubulin assembled into twisted inverted tubulin tubules (ITTs). Here we also show for the first time, the hierarchical assembly pathways from tubulin dimer to each of the above structures, using time-resolved experiments with millisecond temporal resolution. We discovered that the structures that formed at low spermine concentrations were transient precursors of the structures formed at higher spermine concentrations. The results are based on high quality cryo-TEM images, cutting edge synchrotron solution X-ray scattering measurements and state-of-the-art data analysis, using our home developed groundbreaking analysis software, D+. The findings can be relevant to a broad research fields including studies which explore different arrangements of the cytoskeletal network, or studies exploring the attraction forces between proteins that dictate their mode of assembly and molecular designed self-assembly of natural and/or synthetic analogous.

Microtubule (MT) is made of αβ-tubulin heterodimers that dynamically assemble into a hollow nanotube composed of straight protofilaments. MT dynamics is facilitated by hydrolysis of guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP) and can be inhibited by either anticancer agents like taxol or the nonhydrolyzable GTP analogues like GMPPCP. Using high-resolution synchrotron X-ray scattering, we have measured and analyzed the scattering curves from solutions of dynamic MT (in other words, in the presence of excess GTP and free of dynamic-inhibiting agents) and examined the effect of two MT stabilizers: taxol and GMPPCP. Previously, we have analyzed the structure of dynamic MT by docking the atomic model of tubulin dimer onto a 3-start left handed helical lattice, derived from the PDB ID 3J6F . 3J6F corresponds to a MT with 14 protofilaments. In this paper, we took into account the possibility of having MT structures containing between 12 and 15 protofilaments. MTs with 12 protofilaments were never observed. We determined the radii, the pitch, and the distribution of protofilament number that best fit the scattering data from dynamic MT or stabilized MT by taxol or GMPPCP. We found that the protofilament number distribution shifted when the MT was stabilized. Taxol increased the mass fraction of MT with 13 protofilaments and decreased the mass fraction of MT with 14 protofilaments. GMPPCP reduced the mass fraction of MT with 15 protofilaments and increased the mass fraction of MT with 14 protofilaments. The pitch, however, remained unchanged regardless of whether the MT was dynamic or stabilized. Higher tubulin concentrations increased the fraction of dynamic MT with 14 protofilaments.

In many biochemical processes large biomolecular assemblies play important roles. X-ray scattering is a label-free bulk method that can probe the structure of large self-assembled complexes in solution. As we demonstrate in this paper, solution X-ray scattering can measure complex supramolecular assemblies at high sensitivity and resolution. At high resolution, however, data analysis of larger complexes is computationally demanding. We present an efficient method to compute the scattering curves from complex structures over a wide range of scattering angles. In our computational method, structures are defined as hierarchical trees in which repeating subunits are docked into their assembly symmetries, describing the manner subunits repeat in the structure (in other words, the locations and orientations of the repeating subunits). The amplitude of the assembly is calculated by computing the amplitudes of the basic subunits on 3D reciprocal-space grids, moving up in the hierarchy, calculating the grids of larger structures, and repeating this process for all the leaves and nodes of the tree. For very large structures, we developed a hybrid method that sums grids of smaller subunits in order to avoid numerical artifacts. We developed protocols for obtaining high-resolution solution X-ray scattering data from taxol-free microtubules at a wide range of scattering angles. We then validated our method by adequately modeling these high-resolution data. The higher speed and accuracy of our method, over existing methods, is demonstrated for smaller structures: short microtubule and tobacco mosaic virus. Our algorithm may be integrated into various structure prediction computational tools, simulations, and theoretical models, and provide means for testing their predicted structural model, by calculating the expected X-ray scattering curve and comparing with experimental data.

Phosphatidylserine (PS), which is normally localized in the cytoplasmic leaflet of the membrane, flip-flops to the external leaflet during aging of, or trauma to, cells. A fraction of this PS undergoes shedding into the extracellular milieu. PS externalization and shedding change during maturation of erythroid cells and affect the functioning, senescence and elimination of mature RBCs. Several lines of evidence suggest dependence of PS shedding on intracellular Ca concentration as well as on interaction between plasma membrane phospholipids and microtubules (MTs), the key components of the cytoskeleton. We investigated the effect of Ca flux and MT assembly on the distribution of PS across, and shedding from, the membranes of erythroid precursors. Cultured human and murine erythroid precursors were treated with the Ca ionophore A23187, the MT assembly enhancer paclitaxel (Taxol) or the inhibitor colchicine. PS externalization and shedding were measured by flow cytometry and the cholesterol/phospholipids in RBC membranes and supernatants, by ¹H-NMR. We found that treatment with Taxol or colchicine resulted in a marked increase in PS externalization, while shedding was increased by colchicine but inhibited by Taxol. These results indicate that PS externalization is mediated by Ca flux, and PS shedding by both Ca flux and MT assembly. The cholesterol/phospholipid ratio in the membrane is modified by PS shedding; we now show that it was increased by colchicine and A23187, while taxol had no effect. In summary, the results indicate that the Ca flux and MT depolymerization of erythroid precursors mediate their PS externalization and shedding, which in turn changes their membrane composition.

We aimed to determine the metabolic profile and effects of chemotherapy on ovarian cancer cell metabolism in a three-dimensional (3D) vs. a two-dimensional (2D) construct using 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Three ovarian cancer cell lines were embedded in a 3D perfused Matrigel construct or grown in a 2D monolayer. Metabolic differences between the three cell lines were determined using 31P-MRS both in the 3D and in the 2D constructs. Cells were incubated with three different cytotoxic drugs at LC50 for 44 h and evaluated for metabolic changes using 31P-MRS. While the 3D construct allowed MRS assessment of viable cells, the 2D monolayer permitted evaluation of non-viable cell extracts. In both cells embedded in Matrigel (CEM) and cells grown in monolayers (CGM) different cancer cell lines showed characteristic metabolic fingerprints, which differed significantly between CEM and CGM. In contrast to the cell monolayer, CEM allowed continuous monitoring of the changes in 31P-MRS spectra over time following exposure to chemotherapy, demonstrating a progressive decrease in specific phosphorylated metabolites. The metabolic response of CEM and CGM to various antimitotic agents was significantly different. We conclude that different ovarian cancer cell lines show characteristic 31P-MRS fingerprints and specific metabolic changes in response to cytotoxic drug treatment. The perfused 3D Matrigel construct is superior to the 2D tissue monolayer for 31P-MRS studies, because it simulates the in vivo conditions more closely and facilitates MRS evaluation of viable cells as well as continuous monitoring of metabolic changes in response to chemotherapy over time.

Triphenyl phosphonium cations (TPPs) are delocalized lipophilic cations that accumulate in the mitochondria of cells. We have explore the effect of increasing the number of TPPs on delivery of a cell-impermeable pro-apoptotic peptide to intact cells.The pro-apoptotic peptide D-(KLAKLAK)(2) (KLA) was extended with 0-3 L-Lysines modified at their ε-amine with TPP. Peptides were studied in HeLa cells to determine their cytotoxic activity and cellular uptake.In HeLa cells, the increased cytotoxicity correlates with the number of TPPs; the peptide with 3 TPP molecules (3-KLA) exerts the highest cytotoxic activity. This FITC-labeled peptide is found to accumulate in intact HeLa cells, whereas peptides with 0-2 TPPs are not detected at the same peptide concentration. Mitochondria-dependent apoptosis of HeLa cells in the presence of 3-KLA was followed by propidium iodide, Annexin-V and DiOC fluorescence by FACS.A facile synthetic methodology has been presented for the delivery of a biologically active peptide into mitochondria of intact cells by attaching multiple TPP moieties to the peptide. This approach was shown to dramatically increase biological activity of the peptide as a pro-apoptotic agent.

Phospholipids are asymmetrically distributed across the membrane of all cells, including red blood cells (RBCs). Phosphatidylserine (PS) is mainly localized in the cytoplasmic membrane leaflet, but during RBC ageing it flip-flops to the external leaflet—a process that is increased in certain pathological conditions (e.g., β-thalassemia). PS externalization in RBCs mediates their phagocytosis by macrophages and removal from the circulation. PS is usually measured by flow cytometry and is reported as the percentage of cells with external PS. In the current study, we developed a novel two-step flow cytometry procedure to quantitatively measure not only the external PS but also the intracellular and shed PS. In this method, PS is first bound to fluorescent annexin V, and then the residual nonbound annexin is quantified by binding to PS exposed on apoptotic cells. Using this method, we measured 1.1 ± 0.2 and 0.12 ± 0.04 μmol inner and external PS, respectively, per 107 normal RBCs. Thalassemic RBCs demonstrated increased PS externalization (1.7-fold) and shedding (11-fold) that was accompanied by lower intracellular PS (31%). These results suggest that quantitative flow cytometry of PS could have a diagnostic value in evaluating the pathology of RBCs in hemolytic anemias associated with increased PS externalization and shortening of the RBC life span.

A variety of diseases are related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Hence, the ability to transport drugs to mitochondria that are otherwise cell impermeable would be of great therapeutic potential. Triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cations have been shown to accumulate in mitochondria when attached to small molecules. Here we report on the consequence of increasing the number of TPP moieties that are covalently linked to a model hydrophilic peptide Hemagglutinin A (HA). By extending the HA peptide with l-lysine amino acids to which the TPP's are covalently linked through the epsilon-amine, we have systematically synthesized the HA peptide with 0-3 TPP's. All peptides were subsequently labeled with FITC at the N-terminus. Cellular uptake and mitochondrial localization of the HA-TPP conjugates in HeLa cells were profoundly augmented with increasing number of TPPs, suggesting that this approach is applicable for the delivery of peptides. Furthermore, confocal microscopy demonstrated that the peptides localize to mitochondria. Importantly, all peptide conjugates did not show apparent toxicity at concentrations that are several orders of magnitude higher than those used for HA peptide delivery.

article i nfo Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress experienced by RBCs and their phospholipid content and shedding. Using 1 H-NMR, we demonstrated a higher lactate/pyruvate ratio, an indicator of oxidative stress, in normal RBCs treated with oxidants (t-butylhydroxyperoxide and H2O2) as well as in β-thalassemic RBCs. Using 31 P-NMR, we found 30% more phosphatidylcholine (PC), and unexpectedly, 35% less phosphatidylserine (PS) in the thalassemic RBCs. PS was decreased by treatment with oxidants and increased by anti-oxidants (vitamin C and N-acetyl cysteine); PC showed the opposite behavior. Thalassemic RBCs incubated in phosphate buffered saline produced more PS in the supernatant than normal RBCs. Anti-oxidants reduced the PS in the supernatant while oxidants increased it. Plasma of thalassemic patients contained 2.6-fold and 1.8-fold more PS and PC, respectively, than normal plasma. These results indicate that the decreased PS in RBCs resulted from increased shedding. The nature of the shed PS was studied by purifying and analyzing membranous microparticles from the plasma and RBC supernatants. More PS was found in microparticles purified from thalassemic plasma and RBC supernatants (5.6- and 4.8-fold, respectively) than in their normal counterparts. However, the bulk (80-90%) of the shed PS was not associated with microparticles. The significance of PS shedding for RBC survival needs further clarification.

The intracellular pH (pHi) of a series of cancer cell lines was determined using the pH-sensitive indicators imidazole (Im) or histidine (His) and diffusion-weighted (DW) proton NMR spectroscopy. The DW method allows the observation at high magnetic field gradient values of only the slow-moving (intracellular) components, thus ensuring complete separation between intra- and extracellular components. Using the chemical shift difference (deltadelta) between the imidazole ring C2-H and C4(5)-H peaks, we were able to measure the pHi independently of chemical shift standardization. With His, the cell lines gave pHi values of approximately 6.5-7.0, whereas with Im, a second, more acidic compartment (pHi = 5.5-5.8) was also observed. An inverse correlation was also found between pHi and the intracellular lactate concentration. This method may be applicable to in vivo pH determinations.

The 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of mRNAs binds proteins that determine mRNA stability and localization. The 3'-UTR of parathyroid hormone (PTH) mRNA specifically binds cytoplasmic proteins. We screened an expression library for proteins that bind the PTH mRNA 3'-UTR, and the sequence of 1 clone was identical to that of the dynein light chain LC8, a component of the dynein complexes that translocate cytoplasmic components along microtubules. Recombinant LC8 binds PTH mRNA 3'-UTR, as shown by RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assay. We showed that PTH mRNA colocalizes with microtubules in the parathyroid gland, as well as with a purified microtubule preparation from calf brain, and that this association was mediated by LC8. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a dynein complex protein binding an mRNA. The dynein complex may be the motor that is responsible for transporting mRNAs to specific locations in the cytoplasm and for the consequent is asymmetric distribution of translated proteins in the cell.

The mode of action of antitumour anthraquinone derivatives (i.e. mitoxantrone) is not clearly established yet. It includes, among others, intercalation and binding to DNA, bioreduction and aerobic redox cycling. A series of anthraquinone derivatives, with potentially bioreducible groups sited in the side chain, have been synthesized and biologically evaluated. Their redox and cytotoxic activities were screened. Derivatives which bear a 2-(dimethylamino)ethylamino substituent, known to confer high DNA affinity, demonstrated cytotoxicity but not redox activity (beside the anthraquinone reduction). Conversely, derivatives which showed redox activity were not cytotoxic toward the P388 cell line. The results suggest that bioreduction is not the main mode of action in the cytotoxicity of anthraquinones.

Summary A series of complexes PtAm2L [where Am2 = (NH3)2, ethylenediamine(en), 1,2-diaminocyclohexane (DACH) or (NH3)(c-C6H11NH2) and where L is a bidentate 1,1-dicarboxylate ligand tethered to 1-aminoanthraquinone by various spacers] was prepared and screened in vitro against P388 leukemia cells. The free ligands displayed moderate activity and the corresponding platinum complexes were tenfold more active. The nature of the linker chain does not seem to affect the potency of the complexes. The potency depends on the nature of the inert amine ligand [NH3 > DACH > en]. The low aqueous solubility of these complexes prevented any in vivo studies and the preparation of water soluble analogs is currently under way.

The conformations of two paclitaxel analogs modified at the C-2' position, 2'-deoxypaclit ax el and 2'-methoxypaclitaxel, were studied in hydrophobic and hydrophilic solvent systems by a combination of NMR spectroscopy, CD measurements, and molecular modeling. Both analogs have hydrophobic and hydrophilic conformations that resemble those of paclitaxel itself in the same media. Since the two have diminished biological activities in a number of bioactivity assays and the hydrogen-bonding capability of the 2'-hydroxyl group has been eliminated, we postulate that this group is involved in hydrogen bonding with tubulin and plays an important role in molecular recognition. The results of this study are in agreement with our earlier report on paclitaxel 2'-acetate, an analog in which the 2'-hydroxyl group hydrogen-bonding capacity has also been eliminated.

Examination of alcoholic solutions of dimethyl acetylphosphonate (1) and dimethyl benzoylphosphonate (2) by 31P NMR spectroscopy reveals the presence of considerable amounts of hemiketals. Because of the great difference between the 31P chemical shifts of acylphosphonates (ca. 0 ppm) and their hemiketals (17–21 ppm), 31P NMR spectroscopy is a uniquely suitable method for studying the rates and equilibria of hemiketal formation of acylphosphonates with different alcohols. The equilibrium constants Kf, K′f (K′f = Kf [ROH]), pseudo-first-order rate constants k′f, the second order rate constants, kf for hemiketal formation from dimethyl acetylphosphonate with various alcohols, as well as the reverse reaction rate constants, kr to starting materials, were determined. The kinetic isotope effect of 2.8 for the forward reaction kf (EtOH addition) and the backward reaction kr indicates a general catalysis pathway. On the other hand, the calculated values of the enthalpies of activation ΔH‡ = 10.37 kcal mol-1 (forward), ΔH‡ = 13.66 kcal mol-1 (backward) and the entropies of activation, ΔS‡ = -17.25 cal mol-1 K-1 (forward), ΔS‡ = -9.82 cal mol-1 K-1 (backward) are not in accord with high molecularity of the reaction (1 cal = 4.184 J). Our analysis led to the conclusion that this is probably due to the fact that the transition state is mainly reactant-like with the development of only limited extent of bond formation. Various plausible reaction pathways for hemiketal formation are discussed. In addition, we have calculated the value of 2.65 σ* for the P(O)(OMe)2 group based on proton affinity obtained from heats of formation (ΔHf) of applying the MNDO techniques. The following linear correlation between pKa values and PA values of hemiketals of the form (Me)(R)C(OH)(OCH2X) was developed: pKa = PA - 356.58 + 9.18 [σ*(Me) + σ*(R) 0.2σ*(X)].

We aimed to characterize the 31P magnetic resonance spectra of various ovarian cancer cell lines exhibiting differences in cytotoxic drug resistance. We examined the metabolic profile of three different ovarian cancer cell lines, OC238, A2780, and A2780-cisplatin resistant (A2780cisR), including their response to various cytotoxic drugs (paclitaxel, cisplatin, and carboplatin) by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in vitro. In the OC238 cell line, there were higher levels of phosphorylcholine, phosphodiesters, and uridine diphosphosugar (UDPS) + nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP). In A2780 and A2780cisR cell lines, phosphocreatine gave a high signal, which was absent in the OC238 cell line. In the OC238 cell line, a significant decrease in the glycerophosphoethanolamine, glycerophosphocholine, NADP, and UDPS signals was detected following cytotoxic drug treatment, mainly in response to paclitaxel. A significant increase in the glycerophosphocholine signal was detected following exposure to paclitaxel in both A2780 and A2780cisR cell lines. NADP and UDPS signals increased in response to all drugs in the A2780 cell line; however, in the cisplatin-resistant cell line A2780cisR, no significant change in those signals was detected following cisplatin treatment. We conclude that different ovarian cancer cell lines show characteristic 31P MRS fingerprints and specific metabolic changes in response to cytotoxic drug treatment.

We aimed to determine whether cells obtained from malignant ovarian tumors had different ex vivo 1H- and 31P (phosphorus-31)-magnetic resonance (MR) spectra compared to cells obtained from benign ovarian cysts. In addition, we aimed to assess the metabolic effects of chemotherapy on malignant cells obtained from peritoneal effusions of ovarian cancer patients. We included 20 ovarian cancer patients undergoing explorative laparotomy for tumor resection, 15 patients undergoing oophorectomy for benign ovarian cysts and 8 patients with advanced ovarian cancer with cancerous peritoneal effusion undergoing palliative percutaneous drainage. Ovarian and metastatic tissues were obtained from all patients undergoing laparotomy and analyzed using 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Cancerous cells from peritoneal effusions were incubated with 3 different anti-mitotic drugs (paclitaxel, cisplatin and carboplatin) at LC50 and the consequent metabolic changes were monitored using 31P-MRS. 1H-MRS revealed significantly higher intracellular lactate levels in cells obtained from ovarian tumors, most prominently in the moderately to poorly differentiated histological types, while total choline (Chol) compounds were higher in the moderately to poorly differentiated subgroup only. Ovarian cancer cells obtained from peritoneal effusions showed a significantly decreased glycerophosphocholine (GPC), glycerophosphoethanolamine (GPE) and uridine diphospho-sugar (UDPS) levels following ex vivo exposure to all 3 anti-mitotic drugs. Ex vivo 1H-MRS identified significant metabolic differences between cells obtained from ovarian tumors compared to those originating in benign ovarian cysts, including increased lactate and total choline compound levels. The 31P-MRS technique allowed characterization and monitoring of metabolic changes occurring in ovarian cancer cells in response to chemotherapy.

Two series of taxol analogs with various N -acyl groups on 3′-phenylisoserine and isoserine A-ring side chains, respectively, were prepared, and their microtubule assembly acitivities and cytotoxicities toward J774.2 cells were evaluated. Biological activities were adversely affected by the structural modifications investigated, although the 3′-phenylisoserine series was significantly more active than the isoserine series.

Taxol is a structurally novel and clinically effective antitumor drug, which, unlike other antimitotic agents, induces the assembly of tubulin into microtubules. To characterize the binding site(s) of taxol on the microtubule, taxol-based photoaffinity reagents 1 and 2 bearing photoreactive groups on the A-ring side chain were prepared and evaluated. Taxol analogue 1 exhibits better microtubule assembly activity, greater cytotoxicity toward J774.2 cells, and more specific and efficient photolabeling of the beta-subunit of tubulin than does analogue 2. Therefore, it would appear that 1 is the better candidate for further studies aimed at the characterization of the taxol binding site on the microtubule.

Phosphatidylserine (PS), which is normally localized in the cytoplasmic leaflet of the membrane, undergoes externalization during aging or trauma of red blood cells (RBCS: ). A fraction of this PS is shed into the extracellular milieu. Both PS externalization and shedding are modulated by the oxidative state of the cells. In the present study we investigated the effect of calcium (Ca) flux on oxidative stress-induced membrane distribution of PS and its shedding and on the membrane composition and functions. Normal human RBCs were treated with the oxidant t-butyl hydroperoxide, and thalassemic RBCs, which are under oxidative stress, were treated with the antioxidant vitamin C or N-acetylcystein. The intracellular Ca content was modulated by the Ca ionophore A23187 and by varying the Ca concentration in the medium. Ca flux was measured by Fluo-3, PS externalization and shedding were measured by quantitative flow cytometry and membrane composition was measured by (1)H-NMR analysis of the cholesterol and phospholipids. The results indicated that increasing the inward Ca flux induced PS externalization and shedding, which in turn increased the membrane cholesterol/phospholipid ratio and thereby increased the RBC osmotic resistance. In addition, these processes modulated the susceptibility of RBCs to undergo phagocytosis by macrophages; while PS externalization increased phagocytosis, the shed PS prevented it. These results indicate that PS redistribution and shedding from RBCs, which are mediated by increased calcium, have profound effects on the membrane composition and properties and, thus, may control the fate of RBCs under physiological and pathological conditions.

A new series of complexes of the type cis-PtL2X2 [where L is a monodentate AQ-Y(CH2)nNH2 and L2 is a bidentate AQ-Y(CH2)nNH(CH2)2NH2; AQ = anthraquinone, X = Cl, I, Y = NH, O] in which anthraquinone intercalators are tethered to the cis-PtCl2 unit via an (aminoalkyl)amino, (oxyalkyl)amino, or polyethylene glycol (aminoethyl)amino linker chains was prepared and screened in vitro against P388 leukemia. In vivo toxicity studies were carried out on selected complexes. All complexes were characterized by means of elemental analysis, 195Pt NMR spectroscopy, and FTIR. The 1:1 Pt-intercalator complexes displayed much higher in vitro cytotoxic activities than the 1:2 Pt-intercalator complexes. The dichloride complexes were consistently more active than their diiodide counterparts. Among the 1:1 Pt-intercalator complexes those with the shorter linker chains (n = 2, 3) exhibited the highest cytotoxic activities. Three compounds, [[2-[[2-(anthraquinon-1- ylamino)ethyl]amino]ethyl]amine-N,N']dichloroplatinum(II), [[2-[[3-(anthraquinon-1-ylamino)propyl]amino]ethyl]amine- N,N']dichloroplatinum(II), and [[2-[[3-anthraquinon-1- yloxy)propyl]amino]ethyl]amine-N,N']dichloroplatinum(II), were as active in vitro as cisplatin (ED50 = 2-4 x 10(-7) M) while on a molar basis their acute in vivo toxicity was significantly lower than that of cisplatin. In vivo screening against P388 leukemia indicated that these complexes have activity comparable to cisplatin.

The mode of action of antitumour anthraquinone derivatives (i.e. mitoxantrone) is not clearly established yet. It includes, among others, intercalation and binding to DNA, bioreduction and aerobic redox cycling. A series of anthraquinone derivatives, with potentially bioreducible groups sited in the side chain, have been synthesized and biologically evaluated. Their redox and cytotoxic activities were screened. Derivatives which bear a 2-(dimethylamino)ethylamino substituent, known to confer high DNA affinity, demonstrated cytotoxicity but not redox activity (beside the anthraquinone reduction). Conversely, derivatives which showed redox activity were not cytotoxic toward the P388 cell line. The results suggest that bioreduction is not the main mode of action in the cytotoxicity of anthraquinones.

Background Taxol is a potent inhibitor of the replication of eukaryotic cells and has significant antitumor activity in human malignancies. The drug induces the formation of bundles of stable microtubules and blocks cells in the mitotic phase of the cell cycle. In vitro, taxol enhances the polymerization of tubulin to microtubules that are resistant to depolymerization. Although it is evident that taxol interacts with the tubulin-microtubule system, no information has been available on the binding site for the drug on the microtubule. Purpose Our purpose was to determine if taxol binds to one or both of the tubulin subunits. Methods In the absence of a photoaffinity-labeled analogue of taxol, [3H]taxol was used directly to photolabel tubulin. A complex of microtubule protein and [3H]taxol was irradiated by ultraviolet light and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results and conclusions The radiolabeled drug preferentially binds covalently to the beta-subunit of tubulin, and the binding can be competed with unlabeled taxol. Implications This observation is the first step in a study to determine the binding site for taxol on the microtubule.

Plasma cells (PCs) are terminally differentiated B lymphocytes responsible for the synthesis and secretion of Igs. The differentiation of B cells into PCs involves a remarkable expansion of both lipid and protein components of the endoplasmic reticulum. Despite their importance in many signal transduction pathways, the role of ceramides, and of complex sphingolipids that are derived from ceramide, in PC differentiation has never been directly studied. To assess their putative role in PC differentiation, we blocked ceramide synthesis with fumonisin B1, a specific inhibitor of ceramide synthase. Under fumonisin B1 treatment, N-linked glycosylation was severely impaired in LPS-activated, but not in naive, B cells. We also show that ceramide synthesis is strongly induced by XBP-1 (X box-binding protein-1). In the absence of ceramide synthesis, ER expansion was dramatically diminished. Our results underscore ceramide biosynthesis as a key metabolic pathway in the process of PC differentiation and reveal a previously unknown functional link between sphingolipids and N-linked glycosylation in PCs.

The synthesis of B-ring and C-ring trifluoroacetamide-substituted colchicinoids and fluoro-substituted colchicineethylamides is presented. The B-ring trifluoroacetamido-substituted analogues exhibit moderate enhancement of potency compared to the nonfluorinated analogues for tubulin assembly inhibition and cytotoxicity toward two wild type cell lines. The C-ring substituted fluoroethylamides have reduced relative potencies in the same systems due to the strong electron-withdrawing effect of the fluoro derivatives. The fluoro colchicinoids are much more cytotoxic toward drug-resistant cell lines than to the wild type cell lines. Their enhanced potency is probably due to an effect of the fluoro moiety on functions specific to resistant cells and/or their higher hydrophobicity that may result in higher intracellular drug content. This finding may suggest the application of designed fluorinated anticancer drugs to overcome acquired resistance which may develop after several regiments of treatment with a nonfluorinated chemotherapeutic agent.

Myosin subfragment 1 (S1) is cleaved by near-ultraviolet irradiation in the presence of vanadate at three sites located at 23, 31 and 74 kDa from the N-terminus. Since vanadate is considered to be a good structural analogue of phosphate, it is assumed that the cleavage sites participate in forming the phosphate-binding site(s) of S1. In this work, the effect of various ions on the vanadate-induced photocleavage of S1 was studied. Monovalent anions were found to inhibit photocleavage in the 50-200 mM range. The inhibition is more expressed at a site 74 kDa from the N-terminus than at the 23-kDa and 31-kDa sites. The inhibitory effect of the monovalent anions increases in the order acetate = F- less than Cl- less than Br- less than I- = SCN-. The order of the inhibitory effect is identical to the protein-structure-damaging effect of monovalent anions in the von Hippel series [von Hipel, P. H. & Wong, K. Y. (1964) Science 145, 577-581]. Therefore, it is assumed that decreased photocleavage is due to local perturbations of structure, especially at the 74-kDa site, in addition to increased ionic strength. Divalent anions, sulfate and thiosulfate, strongly inhibit photocleavage at 2 mM. The inhibition is very pronounced at the 23-kDa and 31-kDa sites, while the 74-kDa site is hardly affected. Since photocleavage at the 23-kDa and 31-kDa sites is regulated jointly and independently from cleavage at the 74-kDa site, it is assumed that S1 has two distinct phosphate-binding sites: the regions of the 23-kDa and 31-kDa cleavage sites, which are proximal to each other in the spatial structure, participate in forming the first phosphate-binding site, while the 74-kDa site is part of the second binding site. Sulfate was also found to inhibit the trapping of vanadate and to facilitate its release from the S1-MgADP-Vi (Vi, inorganic vanadate) complex. Photocleavage of S1 takes place at all three sites, both in the presence or absence of divalent cations, indicating that these, including Mg2+, are not essential for cleavage.

A new series of complexes of the type [PtAm2LCl]+ (where Am = NH3 or Am2 = ethylenediamine and L is a monodentate AQ-Y-(CH2)n-NH2, AQ = anthraquinone, Y = NH, O) was prepared and screened in vitro against P388 leukemia. These complexes displayed higher activities than the corresponding neutral PtAm2L2 1:2 Pt:anthraquinone complexes but lower than the neutral diaminedichloro 1:1 complexes. The [Pt(en)LCl]+ complexes were significantly less active than the cis- and trans-[Pt(NH3)2LCl]+ complexes. The cis and trans isomers displayed similar activities. The complexes bearing the shorter linker chains were more active than those with longer chains. In vivo toxicity studies indicate that they are significantly less toxic than cis-DDP.

The binding of various forms of vanadate to myosin and myosin subfragment 1 (S-1) was studied by {sup 51}V NMR at increasing vanadate concentrations between 0.06 and 1.0 mM. The distribution of the various forms of vanadate in the solution depended on the total concentration of vanadate. At low concentrations, the predominant vanadate form was monomeric, while at high concentration, it was tetrameric. The presence of myosin or S-1 in the solution produced a significant broadening of the signal of each form of vanadate, indicating that all of them bind to the proteins. Addition of ATP, which does not affect the {sup 51}V NMR spectra in the absence of proteins, causes their significant alteration in the presence of myosin or S-1. The changes, which include the broadening of the signal of the monomeric and the narrowing of the signal of the oligomeric vanadate forms, indicate the more monomeric and less oligomeric vanadate binds to the proteins in the presence than in the absence of ATP. Irradiation by near-UV light in the presence of vanadate cleaves S-1 at three specific sites-at 23, 31, and 74 kDa from the N-terminus. The cleavages at 23 and 31 kDa are specifically inhibited by themore » addition of ATP. The vanadate-associated photocleavage of S-1 also depends on the total concentration of vanadate; it is observed only when the concentration of vanadate is at least 0.2 mM. This was also the lowest concentration at which oligomeric vanadate was detected in the {sup 51}V NMR spectra. From the parallel concentration dependence of the photocleavage and the appearance of the tetrameric vanadate, it is concluded that photocleavage occurs only when tetrameric vanadate binds to S-1.« less

Cofilin/ADF, beryllium fluoride complex (BeFx), and phalloidin have opposing effects on actin filament structure and dynamics. Cofilin/ADF decreases the stability of F-actin by enhancing disorder in subdomain 2, and by severing and accelerating the depolymerization of the filament. BeFx and phalloidin stabilize the subdomain 2 structure and decrease the critical concentration of actin, slowing the dissociation of monomers. Yeast cofilin, unlike some other members of the cofilin/ADF family, binds to F-actin in the presence of BeFx; however, the rate of its binding is strongly inhibited by BeFx and decreases with increasing pH. The inhibition of the cofilin binding rate increases with the time of BeFx incubation with F-actin, indicating the existence of two BeFx-F-actin complexes. Cofilin dissociates BeFx from the filament, while BeFx does not bind to F-actin saturated with cofilin, presumably because of the cofilin-induced changes in the nucleotide-binding cleft of F-actin. These changes are apparent from the increase in the fluorescence intensity of F-actin bound epsilon-ADP upon cofilin binding and a decrease in its accessibility to collisional quenchers. BeFx also affects the nucleotide-binding cleft of F-actin, as indicated by an increase in the fluorescence intensity of epsilon-ADP-F-actin. Phalloidin and cofilin inhibit, but do not exclude each other binding to their complexes with F-actin. Phalloidin promotes the dissociation of cofilin from F-actin and slowly reverses the cofilin-induced disorder in the DNase I binding loop of subdomain 2.

We have found that the profiles of total phospholipids in malignant breast cancer cell lines change going from hormone sensitive to highly hormone resistant cells lines. In particular, two phospholipid components that were absent or at very low levels in hormone sensitive MCF7 cells and moderately hormone sensitive cell lines (MIII, LCC2) were found in relatively high proportions in highly hormone resistant cell lines (MB435, MB231). These two components were shown to be the alkylacylphosphatidylcholine (AAPtdC) and the unsaturated analog plasmenylphosphatidylethanolamine (plasmenyl-PtdE). Another component phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdE) increased in correlation with the degree of hormone insensitivity. This was shown using 31P NMR spectroscopy of lipid extracts of the cells, and was confirmed using HPLC analysis, as well as other techniques. The significance of these results for the metabolic characteristics of these cell lines is related to the therapeutic responsiveness of breast cancer.

Taxol possesses an unusual chemical structure, a unique mechanism of action, and demonstrated activity in human malignancies. It is the only antitumor agent that has a binding site on the microtubule polymer. The interaction of Taxol with the microtubule polymer results in the formation of stable bundles of cellular microtubules that are resistant to depolymerization. Although it has become evident that the microtubule, specifically beta-tubulin, is the target for Taxol, no information is available on the binding site for the drug. In this report, we demonstrate that 3'-(p-azidobenzamido)taxol, an analogue with similar biological activities as Taxol, covalently binds to the N-terminal domain of beta-tubulin after irradiation of the microtubule-drug complex. Taxol competes with [3H]3'-(p-azidobenzamido)-taxol binding, suggesting that the photoaffinity analog and Taxol are binding at the same or overlapping sites. Formic acid cleavage of [3H]3'-(p-azidobenzamido)-taxol-photolabeled beta-tubulin and subsequent protein sequence and mass analyses have identified the N-terminal 31 amino acids as the major site for [3H]3'-(p-azidobenzamido)taxol photoincorporation.

The nasal cavity is the first line of defense from airborne pathogens yet it has been known since antiquity that the nose and its mucosal lining serves as a locus for drug delivery to the systemic circulation and brain. The intranasal application of tobacco snuff, cocaine, and various hallucinogens and psychotropic agents are well known examples (Doty, 1995). Intranasal delivery of peptides to blood is a more recent accomplishment (Pontiroli, 1998). Delivery of neuropeptides directly to specific CNS loci is just beginning to emerge and timely reviews on this approach have appeared. Advantages of this means of crossing the blood brain barrier include: ease of use, long-term compliance, uninterrupted delivery, ease of dosing and treatment schedules (Baker, 1995; Mathison et al.,1998; Agarwal and Mishra, 1999; Thome et al.,1995; Ilium, 2000). However, several transolfactory barriers exist. Solutes entering the nasal cavity are destined for three regions: 1) vestibular; 2) respiratory and 3) olfactory. The olfactory region is the most functionally important site for direct access to the brain. Three major barriers to neuropeptide bioavailability exist in this region: 1) presence of tight junctions between sensory and supporting cells, preventing epithelial transport to the submucous space; 2) a mucous layer containing protective proteolytic/hydrolytic enzymes that impart an enzymatic barrier to nasally administered drugs and peptides and; 3) mucous layer clearance that influences time-dependent neuropeptide absorptive (uptake) availability. Following olfactory neuronal uptake, neuropeptides are susceptible to further degradation as they are carried by axonal transport and following synapses of the olfactory tract to primary CNS targets; namely amygdala, hippocampus, piriform, and entorhinal cortices. Sufficient sustained neuropeptide release at these targets is necessary for a pharmacological effect. We reported previously that site-specific delivery of the neuropeptide Thyrotropin-releasing hormone fabricated as polyanhydride microdisks can attenuate kindled epileptogenesis indicating that it is likely carried to sites in the brain where it affects local excitability (Kubek et al.,1998). We suggest that intranasal application of surfaceeroding TRH-polyanhydride microstructures would enhance: 1) olfactory nerve uptake; 2) transneuronal transport and transfer; and 3) site-specific release of TRH in temporal lobe targets for the treatment of certain neurodegenerative disorders. In addition to its clinical importance, TRH is the smallest neuropeptide to date, and would serve as a prototype peptide in further understanding this delivery pathway.

The cytotoxicity of paclitaxel (taxol) is associated mainly with block in G2/M phase, the most radiosensitive phase of the cell cycle. Nevertheless, taxol-induced modification of the effects of radiation may vary from clear sensitization to subadditivity. Therefore, this effect was studied in relation to drug-induced alterations in the distribution of cells in the phases of the cell cycle in tumor cells (EMT-6 and OV-1063) and normal skin fibroblasts. Cell survival was evaluated with two colorimetric assays. The cell cycle was evaluated by FACS analysis of doubly-labeled cells. The radiosensitivity of the different cells studied was similar, apart from the less radiosensitive human fibroblasts. However, their dose- and time-dependent sensitivity to taxol varied significantly. After 24 h exposure of EMT-6 cells to taxol (IC50 approximately 20 nM), the fraction of cells in G2/M phase increased, the fraction in S phase decreased, and the proportion of possibly apoptotic cells with subdiploid and subtetraploid DNA content increased; this coincided with radiosensitization. In OV-1063 cells (IC50 approximately 3 nM), the drug-induced G2/M-phase block was most pronounced, but the combined effect with radiation was merely additive. In human fibroblasts (IC50 approximately 35 nM), a minimal G2/M-phase block with no change in the S phase and a massive elevation of apoptotic cells with subdiploid DNA content was accompanied by a subadditive combined effect with radiation. Six hours of exposure to taxol increased the fraction of cells in S phase in both nonsynchronized and S-phase-synchronized human fibroblasts (G1 phase approximately 65%, S phase approximately 13%). This was accompanied by a pronounced subadditive effect of the combined treatment. However, in G1-phase synchronized human fibroblasts (G1 phase > or =90%, S phase approximately 3%), only the fraction of cells in G2/M phase was slightly elevated, with a merely additive response to the combined treatment. The differences in the response to the combined treatment between slowly and rapidly proliferating cells in relation to modifications in the cell cycle are discussed.

The effects of intravesical administration of paclitaxel (taxol) in a bladder tumor model in mice, as well as the drug's in vitro activity on the same tumor cells, have been studied. Two cell lines, derived from MBT-2 cells, were employed in these experiments. The T50 line (obtained by many passages in mice) was much more aggressive in vivo than the T5 line. In vivo paclitaxel treatment for 3 days after T5 implantation resulted in a considerable retardation of tumor growth, whereas under the same conditions the T50 line was much less, although still significantly, affected. When treatment was started 1 day after tumor implantation, both tumor variants were affected by paclitaxel to the same extent. The in vitro experiments utilized the MiCK assay, which allows continuous recording of the kinetics of cell growth. These studies revealed a 39.8% inhibition of cell growth by 2.10−8M paclitaxel in the T50 line and a 30-fold increase in concentration had only a small additional effect on the degree of inhibition. At 2.10−8M paclitaxel, growth of T5 was inhibited by 21.7%, which increased to 35.2% at 6.10−7M. The treated cells displayed bundles of microtubuli, as described for other paclitaxel-treated cells. Int. J. Cancer, 70:297–301, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Porphyrins and porphine analogs have been shown to induce cytotoxic effects on cells and tissues after exposure to light, an effect which is currently being studied as a new modality for treatment of cancer, termed photodynamic therapy (PDT). One of the important factors in PDT is the preferential uptake of sensitizers by rapidly proliferating tissues. Previous studies showed that cytoskeletal structures are affected by porphyrin-induced PDT. In the present study we investigate the inhibitory efficiency of porphines on tubulin assembly in vitro. We analyze the efficiency of several sulfonated porphine isomers: tetraphenylporphine n-sulfonate (TPPSn) where n equals 4, 2a and 2o (a and o refer to adjacent and opposite substitution, respectively) and the structural isomers of tetra(o-,m-, and p-hydroxyphenyl)porphine (o-,m- ,p-THPP), in order to find a possible structure-activity relationship. The efficiency of the sensitizers was assayed by their capacity to inhibit microtubule assembly. Binding to monomeric tubulin is essential for effective inhibition of assembly, with or without exposure to light. Without exposure to light, TPPS2o was found to be the most potent inhibitor, followed by TPPS2a and to a much smaller extent by TPPS4. All THPP isomers have negligible inhibitory effect. Upon exposure to white light, microtubule assembly was inhibited in the same order:TPPS2o greater than TPPS2a greater than TPPS4 greater than THPP. All porphines were found to have high affinity to the same site on tubulin even those who had almost no dark effect on tubulin assembly (THPP). Addition of the porphines to assembled microtubules did not lead to their depolymerization even after prolonged irradiation. Since it was previously suggested that porphines may share the same binding site on tubulin as bis-ANS, a known tubulin assembly inhibitor, we performed competition studies with this inhibitor and the porphines. It was shown that bis-ANS does not share the same site on tubulin as the porphines and therefore their effects are additive.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews developments on the use of polymer-based implantable systems for the delivery of drugs to the brain. Implantation of drug-loaded polymeric devices directly into the brain provides effective drug concentrations into the diseased tissue and minimizes problems associated with systemic delivery of the drug, such as systemic side effects, peripheral drug inactivation, poor drug absorption, serum protein binding, inadequate BBB penetration, and poor patient compliance. In addition, the implants can be placed in specific regions of the brain, thereby avoiding undesirable distribution of the drug throughout the brain, which is frequently a problem with administration into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The studies reviewed in this chapter demonstrate the usefulness of direct delivery of bioactive agents to the human brain, using biodegradable polymeric implants. Available stereotactic neurosurgery techniques combined with computerized tomography (CT) scan methods permit the accurate placement of these polymeric implants at specific locations in human patients. Several bioerodible polymer carriers including polyanhydrides and poly(lactide-glycolide) have also shown good biocompatibility and biodegradability in animals and in the human brain.

Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) is a condition in which there is a lack of choline acetyl transferase, the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of acetylcholine in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus1. This finding led to the trial of anticholinesterase drugs, physostigmine and tetrahydroamino-acridine as potential treatment for AD2,3. Although both drugs had some beneficial effect in these conditions, their relatively high toxicity, and the chemical instability and short half-life of physostigmine4, prompted the search for safer agents with a longer duration of action.

[13C]Colchicine, labeled at the tropolone ring methoxy carbon, was used to study interactions with tubulin containing either Mg2+ or Mn2+ at the high affinity divalent cation binding site. Similar experiments were carried out in the presence of excess free divalent cation. The results show that: (1) when Mn2+ occupies the N-site, the 13C signal of the colchicine methoxy carbon of protein-bound colchicine is not broadened, indicating that in protein-bound colchicine the tropolone methoxy group is not close to the N-site cation; (2) when excess Mn2+ is present in solution this 13C signal is severely broadened, indicating that a low affinity divalent cation site or the exchangeable site (E-site) divalent cation is situated near the colchicine binding site; and (3) in the absence of paramagnetic ions a downfield chemical shift is observed for the tropolone methoxy carbon of colchicine upon binding to tubulin, suggesting that colchicine binds near an aromatic group(s) on tubulin.