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C W Porter

Publications and source records attributed to C W Porter.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Human cell variants resistant to methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) display increased sensitivity to chloramphenicol.

Four variants of the cultured human cell line VA2 have been isolated which are resistant to the antiproliferative and antimitochondrial effects of methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG). Each of the four variants is two- to fivefold more sensitive to the mitochondrial protein synthesis inhibitor chloramphenicol (CAP) than wild type when grown in the absence of MGBG, and five- to tenfold more sensitive to CAP when grown in the presence of MGBG. Uptake studies demonstrate that each MGBG-resistant variant cell line is freely permeable to CAP. The in vivo rates of mitochondrial protein synthesis are significantly reduced in each of the variants whether pregrown and labeled in the presence or absence of MGBG. When cytoplasts from a cytoplasmically inherited CAP-resistant mutant are fused to an MGBG-resistant recipient cell line, cybrid clones can be isolated which are functionally resistant to low levels of CAP. With continued growth, the levels of resistance to CAP do not, however, approach the levels of resistance of the CAP-resistant donor cell line. When CAP resistance is subsequently transferred from a CAP/MGBG-resistant cybrid by enucleation and fusion to other human cell lines, then CAP-resistant cybrids can be readily selected in high levels of CAP. It is possible that the substantial decrease in mitochondrial protein synthesis observed in the variants fully accounts for their increased sensitivity to CAP, although the basis for this decreased rate of mitochondrial protein synthesis is not understood.

Cell Line↗

Interactions between bis(guanylhydrazones) and polyamines in isolated mitochondria.

The interactions of naturally occurring polyamines: putrescine, spermidine and spermine, with anticancer bis-guanylhydrazones: methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) and 4,4'-diacetyldiphenylurea-bis(guanylhydrazone) (DDUG) were investigated at the level of mitochondrial membrane. The effects of bis-guanylhydrazones on intact rat liver mitochondria were readily prevented or reversed by polyamines and these interactions were also affected by the mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Magnesium cations enhanced the protective action of polyamines. The data indicate that competition exists between the essential anticancer bis(guanylhydrazone) and polyamines for low affinity negatively charged binding sites at the outer surface of inner mitochondrial membrane. The study of drug interactions was extended to the level of isolated tumor mitochondria from rat HTC hepatoma and murine L1210 leukemia cells. A complicated pattern of interactions between the anticancer bis-guanylhydrazones and phenethylbiguanide was obtained.

Animals↗

Isolation and uptake characteristics of human cell variants resistant to the antiproliferative effects of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone).

Four variants (VA2/MGBG) of the human cell line, VA2, have been isolated which are 10- to 20-fold more resistant than the parent line to the antiproliferative effects of the anticancer agent, methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG). Drug resistance was not cytoplasmically transmitted by cytoplast cell fusion for any of the four sublines, suggesting that the genes responsible for resistance may be of nuclear rather than mitochondrial origin. Uptake properties were characterized in the VA2 cells and two of the four variant lines. Uptake of [14C]MGBG during long-term (0.5 to 28 hr) incubations was 3 to 4 times greater in the VA2 cells than in the VA2/MGBG sublines. However, during short-term (2 to 60 min) incubations, the uptake of [14C]MGBG or [3H]spermidine (which competes for MGBG uptake) was similar for all cell lines. This was further supported by kinetic data which indicated that, for [14C]MGBG uptake at 4 min, the apparent Km for all cell lines was 5.8 to 13.4 microM, and the Vmax, 44 to 53 pmol/mg/min. For [3H]spermidine uptake, the apparent Km values were approximately 1 microM and Vmax, 54 to 69 pmol/mg/min. Efflux studies performed on cells incubated for 30 min in 10 microM [14C]MGBG revealed that the two VA2/MGBG sublines released drug much more rapidly than did VA2 cells over an 8-hr period. Thus, while the variants may transport MGBG at a rate similar to VA2 cells, the drug is not accumulated to the same extent during long-term incubations, probably because of altered intracellular binding sites for MGBG. The identification of these sites may provide insight into the basis for antiproliferative action of MGBG.

Biological Transport↗

Biochemical and ultrastructural characterization of human cell variants resistant to the antiproliferative effects of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone).

Stable variants of the human cell line, VA2-B, have been developed which are 10- to 20-fold less sensitive to the antiproliferative effects of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) than the parent cell lines and which are not drug transport deficient. The lines were characterized biochemically giving particular attention to parameters related to the two known sites of MGBG action, mitochondria and polyamine metabolism. Dose-response studies with MGBG (0 to 30 microM for 40 to 48 hr) revealed that, of the parameters related to polyamine metabolism (i.e., polyamine pools, S-adenosylmethionine, and ornithine decarboxylase activities), only spermine pool size reduction seemed to correlate with inhibition of cell growth by MGBG. By contrast, decreases in pyruvate oxidation (used here as a measure of mitochondrial function) closely paralleled growth inhibition in all cell lines. Similarly, MGBG-induced changes in mitochondrial ultrastructure were less conspicuous in the variants than in the parent cell line and also corresponded with growth inhibition. Respiration of isolated mitochondria from one of the variant lines was about 2-fold more resistant to the inhibitory effects of MGBG than mitochondria from the VA2 cells. Finally, treatment with alpha-difluoromethylornithine, a potent inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis having no known effect on mitochondrial function, resulted in comparable inhibition of growth in variant and parent cell lines. Overall, the data suggest that a phenotypic alteration in mitochondrial function, rather than in polyamine metabolism, may represent the basis for MGBG resistance in these variant cell lines.

Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase↗

Ultrastructural changes in the mitochondria of intestinal epithelium of rodents treated with methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone).

Ultrastructural studies of rats or mice treated for 24 hr with a toxic dose (100 mg/kg) of methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) revealed the presence of damaged mitochondria in the crypt cells of the intestinal epithelium. Mitochondria were severely swollen and electron lucent, and appeared to be similar to those observed previously in a variety of cell types treated in vitro and in vivo with methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone). Since thymidine incorporation into the intestine was not found to be decreased until after 24 hr, it is concluded that the mitochondrial damage of methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) could be responsible for the antiproliferative toxicities of the drug.

Animals↗

Inhibition of the bioenergetic functions of isolated rat liver mitochondria by polyamines.

The abilities of the naturally occurring polyamines, putrescine, spermidine and spermine, to affect variables related to the bioenergetic functions of isolated rat liver mitochondria were studied. At concentrations comparable to those present intracellularly, the polyamines inhibited state 4 respiration, but they had much less effect on state 3 or uncoupled respiration. The concentrations required to produce 25% inhibition (I25) of state 4 respiration varied according to the polyamine, with putrescine being least effective (I25, 20 mM) and spermidine and spermine being more effective and comparable (I25, 7.5 and 7.0 mM respectively). This inhibition was antagonized by 15 mM potassium and enhanced by valinomycin and 4 mM magnesium. Inhibition of monoamine oxidase, an enzyme of outer mitochondrial membrane, was also observed to occur. Addition of polyamines to mitochondrial suspensions caused an increase in the optical density and protected against the swelling effects of sublytic concentrations of Triton X-100. By electron microscopy, polyamines were found to cause the outer mitochondrial compartment to collapse bringing the inner and outer membranes into apparent contact with one another. The electrophoretic mobility of mitochondria toward the anode was markedly slowed by polyamines (i.e. 50% by 1.25 mM spermine), indicating surface binding and neutralization of the negative surface charge. In almost all of the above mitochondrial effects, spermine and spermidine were similar in effectiveness and putrescine was less effective. It is suggested that polyamines may be capable of modulating respiration of isolated mitochondria by binding to non-specific anionic sites at the surface of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Neutralization of the net negative surface potential may interfere with cation fluxes across the membrane, particularly those of potassium.

Animals↗

Activity of tunicamycin against Trypanosoma brucei in vitro and in vivo.

Tunicamycin, a specific inhibitor of glycoprotein biosynthesis, was evaluated for activity and chemotherapeutic potential against Trypanosoma brucei in vitro and in vivo. The inhibition of parasite incorporation of two radiolabeled macromolecular precursors, [methyl-3H]thymidine and D-[2-3H]mannose, was measured in short-term (4-h) microcultures. Mannose incorporation was inhibited over the concentration range of 0.01 to 10.0 microgram/ml, reaching 60% at the latter level. Thymidine incorporation was not affected. In vivo experiments indicated that a single dose of 2.0 mg of tunicamycin per kg can cure or significantly increase the life-span of mice of three different strains, each infected with T. brucei.

Animals↗

Potentiation of the antimitochondrial and antiproliferative effects of bis(guanylhydrazones) by phenethylbiguanide.

The ability of methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) and 4,4'-diacetyldiphenylurea-bis(guanylhydrazone) to interact with the hypoglycemic agent, phenethylbiguanide (DBI), in affecting the bioenergetic functions of isolated rat liver mitochondria was studied. DBI was found to increase markedly the inhibitory effect of either 4,4'-diacetyldiphenylurea-bis(guanylhydrazone) or MGBG on respiration of isolated rat liver mitochondria. Conversely, these bis(guanylhydrazones) enhanced the inhibitory potency of DBI and increased the apparent affinity of mitochondria for the drug. As with MGBG and 4,4'-diacetyldiphenylurea-bis(guanylhydrazone), the potassium cationophore, valinomycin, increased the sensitivity of mitochondrial respiration to DBI. It is suggested that the enhancement of bis(guanylhydrazone) inhibition of mitochondrial respiration by DBI involves inhibition of proton fluxes across the inner mitochondrial membrane and the subsequent alkalinization of the mitochondrial matrix. This drug interaction was extended to the level of antiproliferative activity in which DBI was found to potentiate the growth-inhibitory effects of MGBG on murine L1210 leukemia in vivo.

Animals↗

Biochemical localization of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase in the intestinal epithelium of the rat.

The distribution of the carcinogen-metabolizing enzyme system, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH), was biochemically determined in the intestinal epithelium of the rat. A method of epithelial cell isolation in which fractions of cells are sequentially collected as a villus tip-to-crypt gradient was used. AHH activity was highest in the midvillus region, 40% lower at the villus tip, and practically nonexistent in the crypt region where active cell proliferation takes place. This distribution differed from those of sucrase and alkaline phosphatase (used here as markers for cellular differentiation), which were characteristically lowest in activity at the crypts and increased continuously to the villus tips. Conceivably, the midvillus peak of AHH activity may serve to protect or enhance the susceptibility of cells undergoing cell division in the nearby crypt regions, depending on whether the predominant function of AHH in the intestinal epithelium involves detoxication or activation of polyaromatic carcinogens.

Animals↗

Induction of polyamine limitation in Chinese hamster ovary cells by alpha-methylornithine.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in culture were limited for polyamines through the use of alpha-methylornithine (alpha MO), a competitive inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase. Initial exposure of the cells to the inhibitor caused growth rate and intracellular polyamine content to decline continuously. Reseeding the alpha MO-treated cells into medium containing the inhibitor resulted in steady-state (exponential) growth at cell densities below 5 x 10(3) cells/cm2, at a rate approximately twofold slower than untreated cells. Under these conditions, putrescine and spermidine were undetectable and spermine remained relatively constant at a level approximately half that found in untreated cells. Addition of exogenous putrescine elevated the polyamine content and stimulated the growth of alpha MO-treated cultures. Thus, growth rate correlated with polyamine content in the alpha MO-treated cells. The growth of reseeded, alpha MO-treated cells became nonexponential at a density (5 x 10(3) cells/cm2) far below that at which untreated cells departed from exponential growth (1 x 10(5) cells/cm2). Medium obtained from high density, alpha MO-treated cultures inhibited the growth of cells at low density in the presence of alpha MO. Doubling the concentration of the defined components of conditioned medium did not markedly affect its capacity to inhibit growth. However, dialysis completely not markedly affect its capacity to inhibit growth. However, dialysis completely removed the inhibitory activity from conditioned medium. The results imply that a low molecular weight inhibitor of growth is produced by polyamine-limited cells. This is a variable that must be controlled in studies with polyamine-limited animal cells. Morphological studies indicated that subcellular organelles, including mitochondria, were largely unaffected by treatment with alpha MO. The maintenance of mitochondrial integrity in the presence of alpha MO demonstrates that the swelling of mitochondria observed previously in cells treated with methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) was not due to polyamine limitation. alpha MO-treated cells did, however, accumulate numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles. The identity of these vacuoles and their relationship to cellular physiology is not yet understood.

Animals↗

Autoradiographic distribution of hematoporphyrin derivative in normal and tumor tissue of the mouse.

The distribution of isotopically labeled hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) has been studied in mice bearing the spontaneous mammary tumor (fast growing). In stomach, liver, spleen, and pancreas, 3 hr after i.p. injection of [3H]HPD, grains were uniformly distributed over the tissue sections. After 24 hr, the grain density overlying parenchymous areas of these tissues was lower than that over the stromal or reticuloendothelial areas. In the spontaneous mammary tumor (fast growing), higher grain densities were seen over pseudocapsule, stromal septa, and necrotic areas at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hr after injection. At 168 hr postinjection, only isolated stomal cells, presumably macrophages, showed high grain densities. From the temporal changes observed in the distributions of HPD in normal tissues and the relative stability of the distribution seen in the spontaneous mammary tumor (fast growing), we speculate that tissue factors such as vascular permeability, lack of an adequate lymphatic drainage, and nonspecific binding of serum proteins to stromal elements may be responsible for or contribute to the preferential uptake and/or retention of HPD observed in both human and animal tumors.

Animals↗

Polyamines and biosynthetic enzymes in the rat intestinal mucosa and the influence of methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone).

The use of methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) in the clinical treatment of myeloid and lymphoid disorders has been limited by severe host toxicity to renewing tissues, particularly the intestinal mucosa. Since the drug is a potent inhibitor of spermidine biosynthesis, the distributions of ornithine and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylases and polyamine pools have been characterized in the rat intestinal mucosa in an attempt to discern the basis for MGBG toxicity. A method of epithelial cell isolation in which fractions of cells are sequentially collected in a villus tip-to-crypt gradient was used. Ornithine decarboxylase activity was highest in the villus tip region and unexpectedly lowest in the crypts, while S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity showed the opposite pattern. Intracellular polyamine pools were uniform along the gradient corresponding to the villus length and increased appreciably in the crypt region. The relative concentrations of the individual polyamines were highest in the crypts, with spermidine and spermine being nearly equivalent in all regions. Twenty-four hr after a single i.p. injection of MGBG (50 mg/kg), S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity increased markedly, especially in the crypt region (approximately 50-fold), while ornithine decarboxylase activity also increased but to a lesser extent. Putrescine pools were most affected by MGBG and were elevated 5- to 6-fold, especially in the crypt region. The results are consistent with an alteration of polyamine biosynthesis by MGBG being involved in the antiproliferative toxicity of the drug.

Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase↗