Biomedical subjects

G Jansen

Publications and source records attributed to G Jansen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

In vitro activity of novel antifolates against human squamous carcinoma cell lines of the head and neck with inherent resistance to methotrexate.

A series of 7 human squamous carcinoma cell lines of the head and neck (HNSCC), grown in standard medium containing high folate concentrations and in "folate-conditioned" medium containing nanomolar concentrations of folates, were all found to be sensitive (IC50: less than or equal to 50 nM) in growth-inhibition studies to methotrexate (MTX) following drug exposure for 7 days. However, when MTX exposure was limited to 24 hr, only 2 out of 7 HNSCC cell lines were sensitive to MTX (IC50: less than 500 nM), 2 were moderately sensitive (IC50: 1-2 microM), and 3 exhibited inherent resistance to MTX (IC50: greater than 250 microM). In these last 3 cell lines, the mechanism of resistance was not correlated with altered membrane transport of MTX or changes in dihydrofolate reductase activity, but rather was associated with a 3-fold lower activity of intracellular folylpolyglutamate synthase (FPGS) activity compared to MTX-sensitive HNSCC cells. The 3 cell lines exhibiting inherent resistance to a short exposure to MTX, however, did not show inherent cross-resistance after exposure for 24 hr to one or more of 3 novel antifolate compounds. These compounds, which appear to be more efficiently transported and polyglutamylated than MTX, include: 10-ethyl-10-deazaaminopterin (10-EdAM), 2-desamino-2-methyl-N10-propargyl-5,8-dideazafolic acid (ICI-198,583), and 5,10-dideazatetrahydrofolic acid (DDATHF). These results indicate that antifolate membrane transport and intracellular FPGS activity are important factors in determining sensitivity or resistance of HNSCC cells to short-term antifolate compound exposures.

Aminopterin↗

PubMed1992

Myotonic dystrophy mutation: an unstable CTG repeat in the 3' untranslated region of the gene.

Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is the most common inherited neuromuscular disease in adults, with a global incidence of 1 in 8000 individuals. DM is an autosomal dominant, multisystemic disorder characterized primarily by myotonia and progressive muscle weakness. Genomic and complementary DNA probes that map to a 10-kilobase Eco RI genomic fragment from human chromosome 19q13.3 have been used to detect a variable length polymorphism in individuals with DM. Increases in the size of the allele in patients with DM are now shown to be due to an increased number of trinucleotide CTG repeats in the 3' untranslated region of a DM candidate gene. An increase in the severity of the disease in successive generations (genetic anticipation) is accompanied by an increase in the number of trinucleotide repeats. Nearly all cases of DM (98 percent or 253 of 258 individuals) displayed expansion of the CTG repeat region. These results suggest that DM is primarily caused by mutations that generate an amplification of a specific CTG repeat.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Detection of an unstable fragment of DNA specific to individuals with myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is the most common form of adult muscular dystrophy, with a prevalence of 2-14 per 100,000 individuals. The disease is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and sustained muscle contraction, often with a wide range of accompanying symptoms. The age at onset and severity of the disease show extreme variation, both within and between families. Despite its clinical variability, this dominant condition segregates as a single locus at chromosome 19q13.3 in every population studied. It is flanked by the tightly linked genetic markers ERCC1 proximally and D19S51 distally; these define the DM critical region. We report the isolation of an expressed sequence from this region which detects a DNA fragment that is larger in affected individuals than in normal siblings or unaffected controls. The size of this fragment varies between affected siblings, and increases in size through generations in parallel with increasing severity of the disease. We postulate that this unstable DNA sequence is the molecular feature that underlies DM.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19↗

PubMed1992

Cloning of the essential myotonic dystrophy region and mapping of the putative defect.

Myotonic dystrophy is a common dominant disorder (global incidence of 1:8,000) with variable onset and a protean nature of symptoms mainly involving progressive muscle wasting, myotonia and cataracts. To define the molecular defect, we have cloned the essential region of chromosome 19q13.3, including proximal and distal markers in a 700-kilobase contig formed by overlapping cosmids and yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs). The central part of the contig bridges an area of about 350 kilobases between two new flanking crossover borders. This segment has been extensively characterized through the isolation of five YAC clones and the subsequent subcloning in cosmids from which a detailed EcoRI, HindIII, MluI and NotI restriction map has been derived. Two genomic probes and two homologous complementary DNA probes were isolated using the cosmids. These probes are all situated within approximately 10 kilobases of genomic DNA and detect an unstable genomic segment in myotonic dystrophy patients. The length variation in this segment shows similarities to the instability seen at the fragile X locus. The physical map location and the genetic characteristics of the length polymorphism is compatible with a direct role in the pathogenesis of myotonic dystrophy.

Blotting, Southern↗

PubMed1992

Molecular events in the membrane transport of methotrexate in human CCRF-CEM leukemia cell lines.

A variant line (CEM-7A) "overproducing" the reduced folate/MTX carrier system was isolated from human CCRF-CEM leukemia cells grown under selective conditions in medium containing 0.25 nM 5-formyl-THF as the sole folate source. This line exhibits a 95-fold increased Vmax for [3H]-MTX influx as compared to parental cells. The values for [3H]-MTX influx Km, efflux t1/2 and structural specificity for other (anti)folate compounds were unchanged. The amount of carrier protein, estimated by NHS-[3H]-MTX affinity labeling, was approximately 30-fold higher in CEM-7A cells than in parental cells. Influx of [3H]-MTX in CEM-7A cells was found to be down-regulated 6-7-fold after preincubation of cells with adenosine, 5-formyl-THF or 5-methyl-THF, but could be prevented exclusively by inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase. The underlying mechanism(s) of these effects have not as yet been elucidated. A radioiodinated photoaffinity analog of MTX was used to prove the molecular events in carrier-mediated MTX uptake in parental CCRF-CEM cells, CEM-7A cells, and a line exhibiting a MTX-transport defect (CEM-MTX). Specific labeling of an 80-85 kDa membrane protein was observed in parental cells, but not in CEM/MTX cells. Uptake of photoprobe and levels of the 80-85 kDa membrane protein were significantly increased in CEM-7A cells. Due to extensive glycosylation the MW of the carrier protein in human cells seems to be substantially higher than that of its counterpart in murine L1210 leukemia cells (46-48 kDa). Pulse-labeling experiments at 37 degrees C demonstrated that in CEM-7A cells photoprobe uptake proceeds via a specific pathway. The 80-85 kDa membrane protein is involved in the initial binding and translocation of photoprobe, after which a 38 kDa cytosolic protein is responsible for further intracellular distribution. At this time, the combination of photoaffinity labeling techniques and the availability of variant cell lines overexpressing the reduced folate/MTX carrier protein has provided new insights into the MTX transport process in human leukemia cell lines. In the near future this approach should also allow a further elucidation of the regulatory aspects of carrier function.

Affinity Labels↗

PubMed1992

Physical and genetic characterization of the distal segment of the myotonic dystrophy area on 19q.

The mutation involved in myotonic dystrophy (DM) has been mapped to the region between the ERCC1 DNA repair gene and the anonymous D19S51 locus on 19q13.3. Starting at locus D19S112 (probe pX75b), which served as a novel entry site for this chromosome region, we have established a cosmid contig of approximately 200 kb. In the contig, a gene expressed in the brain and a highly informative, 12-allele (TG)n variable simple sequence motif (VSSM) were identified. With this marker, designated X75b-VSSM, a highly characteristic size distribution of alleles linked with DM, which differed significantly from that on normal chromosomes, was observed. Combining our physical mapping and genetic data, we show that the X75b-VSSM marker is the closest distal to DM, thus excluding the DM mutation from the entire telomeric portion of the ERCC1-D19S51 region.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Physical mapping and cloning of the proximal segment of the myotonic dystrophy gene region.

The myotonic dystrophy (DM) region has been recently shown to be bracketed by two key recombinant events. One recombinant occurs in a Dutch DM family, which maps the DM locus distal to the ERCC1 gene and D19S115 (pE0.8). The other recombinant event is in a French Canadian DM family, which maps DM proximal to D19S51 (p134c). To further resolve this region, we initiated a chromosome walk in a telomeric direction from pE0.8, a proximal marker tightly linked to DM, toward the genetic locus. An Alu-PCR approach to chromosome walking in a cosmid library from flow-sorted chromosome 19 was used to isolate DM region cosmids. This effort has resulted in the cloning of a 350-kb genomic contig of human chromosome 19q13.3. New genetic and physical mapping information has been generated using the newly cloned markers from this study. As a result of this new mapping information, the minimal area that is to contain the DM gene has been redefined. Approximately 200 kb of sequence between pE0.8 and the closest proximal marker to DM, pKEX0.8, that would have otherwise been screened for DM candidate genes, has been eliminated as containing the DM gene.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Characterization of the myotonic dystrophy region predicts multiple protein isoform-encoding mRNAs.

The mutation underlying myotonic dystrophy (DM) has been identified as an expansion of a polymorphic CTG-repeat in a gene encoding protein kinase activity. Brain and heart transcripts of the DM-kinase (DMR-B15) gene are subject to alternative RNA splicing in both human and mouse. The unstable [CTG]5-30 motif is found uniquely in humans, although the flanking nucleotides are also present in mouse. Characterization of the DM region of both species reveals another active gene (DMR-N9) in close proximity to the kinase gene. DMR-N9 transcripts, mainly expressed in brain and testis, possess a single, large open reading frame, but the function of its protein product is unknown. Clinical manifestation of DM may be caused by the expanded CTG-repeat compromising the (alternative) expression of DM-kinase or DMR-N9 proteins.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed1992

Presymptomatic diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy.

The discovery of an expanded (CTG)n repeat sequence in myotonic dystrophy (DM) has greatly improved our ability to detect DM gene carriers who have few or none of the classical signs of this disorder. We report here our experience with two such groups of gene carriers. We used a PCR based protocol that should be especially sensitive to small increases in CTG triplet number which might escape detection by conventional Southern blot analysis. Our analyses show that on 100 non-DM chromosomes the number of CTG triplets ranged from five to 37. We then studied 17 obligate gene carriers aged 55 years and over who showed no muscle weakness. All of the gene carriers in this group showed a relatively small increase in the number of CTG triplets (52 to 90 CTG triplets) with limited somatic mosaicism. We subsequently studied 11 subjects (aged 19 to 36 years) who had previously been identified as gene carriers by genetic linkage studies, but who lacked diagnostic signs. In this prospectively studied group, nine subjects showed an expanded allele, confirming the earlier prediction from linked genetic markers. The other two subjects had only two normal alleles and no expanded allele. Revision of the clinical data casts doubt on the original diagnosis of DM in their families. Preferential amplification of the normal non-expanded allele was noted in three asymptomatic gene carriers in this study (as well as in two of their clinically affected relatives). We caution that, at least in our hands, the DM mutation can be confidently excluded by this PCR based method only if both normal alleles have been identified.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Measurement of folylpolyglutamate synthetase activity in head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines and clinical samples using a new rapid separation procedure.

The activity of folylpolyglutamate synthetase was measured in extracts of head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines and in surgical specimens utilizing a new rapid method to separate free [3H]glutamate from [3H]glutamate incorporated into methotrexate, used as a substrate for the enzyme. The validity of this new method, based on reversed phase chromatography via a Sep-Pack C18 cartridge, was observed between both methods, but the Sep Pack C18 assay has the advantage that it can be accomplished in less than 5 min, whereas the DE-52 procedure requires approximately 2 hr. In seven head and neck cell lines, activity of folylpoly-glutamate synthetase varied from 335-1305 pmol [3H]glutamate incorporated/mg protein/hr. In nine head and neck tumor biopsies, a broad range in activity of folylpolyglutamate synthetase was observed (25-1827 pmol/mg/hr) which partly overlapped the enzyme activity in 'normal' tissue (7-297 pmol/mg/hr). For six patients, folylpolyglutamate synthetase was measured in the center of the tumor, in the transitional region from tumor to 'normal' tissue, and in the 'normal' tissue. The enzyme activity was higher in tumor tissue vs 'normal' tissue in four of six cases, whereas in all cases, the enzyme activity in the transitional region was higher than in 'normal' tissue. The results of this study provide further support for the concept that putative differences in folylpolyglutamate synthetase activity between tumor tissue and normal tissue can be exploited to improve the effectiveness of antifolate-based chemotherapy in general, and in head and neck cancer in particular.

Aged↗

PubMed1991

Membrane transport of natural folates and antifolate compounds in murine L1210 leukemia cells: role of carrier- and receptor-mediated transport systems.

L1210-B73 cells, variants of L1210 cells grown in medium containing nanomolar concentrations of folates, express a membrane associated folate binding protein (mFBP) in addition to the classical reduced folate/methotrexate carrier (RF/MTX-carrier) present in L1210 cells grown in standard high folate medium (G. Jansen et al., Cancer Res., 49: 1959-1963, 1989). In this study we used L1210-B73 and L1210 cells as a model system to study the affinity of the RF/MTX-carrier and the mFBP for the natural folate compounds folic acid and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate (5-CHO-THF), as well as a number of antifolate compounds. Furthermore we studied the contribution of the RF/MTX-carrier and the mFBP in membrane transport of these (anti)folates, and finally we analyzed the role of the mFBP and RF/MTX-carrier in the cytotoxic effects of the antifolates. The antifolates used were either inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase, including methotrexate (MTX) and 10-ethyl-10-deazaaminopterin (10-EdAM), or two folate-based inhibitors of thymidylate synthase, N10-propargyl-5,8-dideazafolic acid (CB3717) and 2-deamino-2-methyl-N10-propargyl-5,8-dideazafolic acid (ICI-198,583). The affinity of the RF/MTX-carrier for natural and antifolate compounds declined in the order 10-EdAM greater than or equal to ICI-198,583 greater than or equal to 5-CHO-THF greater than MTX much greater than CB3717 much greater than folic acid. The mFBP exhibited a high binding affinity for CB3717 and ICI-198,583 but a poor binding affinity for MTX and 10-EdAM. Binding affinities of the mFBP decreased in the order CB3717 greater than or equal to folic acid = ICI-198,583 greater than or equal to 5-CHO-THF much greater than MTX = 10-EdAM. Over 24 h, at 25 nM, [3H]folic acid uptake in L1210-B73 cells was found to proceed for more than 98% via the mFBP. Uptake of [3H]-5-CHO-THF, at 50 nM extracellular concentration, occurred via both the mFBP (81%) and the RF/MTX-carrier (19%). With respect to antifolates, the mFBP in L1210-B73 cells contributed for less than 30% in the uptake of [3H]MTX but was the predominant route (92%) in the uptake of [3H]ICI-198,583. Results from affinity and membrane transport observations were consistent with growth inhibition studies on L1210-B73 cells demonstrating that the mFBP played only a minor role in the cytotoxic effects of MTX or 10-EdAM. On the other hand, L1210-B73 cells were significantly more sensitive to CB3717 (220-fold) and ICI-198,583 (10-fold) than parental L1210 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a fluorescent analogue of folic acid.

A fluorescein derivative of the lysine analogue of folic acid, N alpha-pteroyl-N epilson-(4'-fluoresceinthiocarbamoyl)-L-lysine (PLF), was synthesized as a probe for dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and a membrane folate binding protein (m-FBP). Excitation of PLF at 282 nm and at 497 nm gave a fluorescence emission maximum at 518 nm. Binding of PLF to human DHFR or human placental m-FBP results in approximately a 20-fold enhancement in the magnitude of the fluorescence emission, suggesting that the ligand interacts with a hydrophobic region on these proteins. Additional evidence suggests that an energy transfer may occur between the pteridine and the fluorescein moieties. PLF binds to the active site of human DHFR since methotrexate (MTX) competes stoichiometrically and the denatured enzyme in the presence of PLF did not exhibit fluorescent enhancement. The dissociation constant for the fluorescein derivative with respect to human DHFR is 115 nM as compared to 111 nM for folic acid. The Ki value for the competitive inhibition of human DHFR by the fluorescent analogue of folic acid is 2.0 microM compared to 0.48 microM for folic acid. PLF was reduced to N alpha-(7,8-dihydropteroyl)-N epilson-(4'-fluoresceinthiocarbamoyl)-L-lysine (H2PLF) and assayed by the enzymatic conversion to the tetrahydro derivative. The Km value for human DHFR for the dihydrofolate analogue is 2.0 microM. The KD value for H2PLF to human DHFR is 47 nM as compared to 44 nM for dihydrofolate. The KD values for both H2PLF and PLF indicate that the fluorescein moiety does not significantly affect folate binding in enzyme binary complexes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Binding, Competitive↗

PubMed1991

Growth-inhibitory effects of 5,10-dideazatetrahydrofolic acid on variant murine L1210 and human CCRF-CEM leukemia cells with different membrane-transport characteristics for (anti)folate compounds.

5,10-Dideazatetrahydrofolic acid (DDATHF) is a potent inhibitor of glycinamide ribonucleotide transformylase, one of the folate-dependent key enzymes in de novo purine biosynthesis. The present report demonstrates that multiple membrane-transport routes may be involved in the cellular uptake of DDATHF. These routes include the classic reduced folate carrier and a membrane-associated folate-binding protein (mFBP). The role of an mFBP in the uptake of DDATHF was suggested from observations that (a) the mFBP showed a very high binding affinity for DDATHF, (b) murine and human leukemia cells expressing an mFBP were highly sensitive to growth inhibition by DDATHF, and (c) protection against this growth inhibition could be achieved using folic acid rather than reduced folate compounds.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Mechanisms of acquired resistance to methotrexate in a human squamous carcinoma cell line of the head and neck, exposed to different treatment schedules.

Mechanisms of acquired resistance to methotrexate (MTX) were evaluated in HNSCC-11B cells which were made resistant to methotrexate either by continuous (11B-MTX-C) or by pulse exposure (11B-MTX-P) to the drug. 11B-MTX-C cells were 91-fold resistant to methotrexate and 30-fold or 49-fold crossresistant to trimetrexate and 10-EdAM, respectively. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) activity was increased 63-fold in 11B-MTX-C cells together with a decrease in [3H]-methotrexate transport and folylpolyglutamate synthase (FPGS) activity (2.5-fold and 3.8-fold, respectively). Against two novel antifolates targetting enzymes other than DHFR, minor crossresistance was observed for ICI-198, 583, but full sensitivity was retained for DDATHF. 11B-MTX-P cells were 46-fold resistant to methotrexate and 47-fold crossresistant to ICI-198,583 in short-term drug exposure, but showed only minor changes in methotrexate sensitivity following prolonged drug exposure. The resistant phenotype in 11B-MTX-P cells were characterised by a 5.6-fold decrease in FPGS activity. These results suggest that different mechanisms of methotrexate resistance in HNSCC cells in vitro can be obtained dependent on the schedule of exposure to the drug.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1991

Fat absorption in neonates: comparison of long-chain-fatty-acid and triglyceride compositions of formula, feces, and blood.

We studied malabsorption of fat in neonates who were fed either a lard-modified formula (n = 22, gestational age, 33.6 +/- 3.9 wk) or an unmodified formula (n = 14, gestational age, 34.1 +/- 3.7 wk). In both groups fecal lipid consisted almost completely (greater than 90%) of free fatty acids, whose composition was highly correlated with the corresponding formula's fatty acid composition [r = 0.96 (lard modified) and r = 0.99 (standard)]. Both groups had similar relative amounts and compositions of fecal cholesterol esters and triglycerides. Plasma and, to a lesser extent, erythrocyte membrane long-chain-fatty-acid compositions correlated with those of the corresponding formulas. We suggest that the extensive intestinal hydrolysis and limited absorption of dietary lipids is, at least partly, due to lipolysis in the colon. Appearance of triglycerides in the colon may be due to a rapid small-intestinal passage in relation to small-intestinal lipolysis.

Chromatography, Gas↗

PubMed1991

[Postgastrectomy findings in the after care of 227 patients with stomach carcinoma].

Rehabilitation needs and problems in 227 gastric cancer patients. In an investigation on needs of rehabilitation in gastric cancer we evaluated postgastrectomy problems in 227 gastrectomized patients. The average weight loss was 5% prior to operation and there was a further weight loss of 16% in the follow-up 18 months after the operation due to the postgastrectomy syndrome. The most frequent complaints of gastrectomized patients were inappetence (32%), reflux oesophagitis (25.1%), eructation (54.2%), diarrhea (22%), flatulence (36.5%), dumping syndrome (20.4%). 176 patients (78%) observed an indigestion of certain food since the operation. Postgastrectomy syndromes were more frequent in totally than in partially gastrectomized patients.

Female↗

PubMed1990

Multiple membrane transport systems for the uptake of folate-based thymidylate synthase inhibitors.

N10-Propargyl-5,8-dideazafolic acid (CB3717) and 2-desamino-2-methyl-N10-propargyl-5,8-dideazafolic acid (ICI-198,583) are potent folate-based inhibitors of thymidylate synthase. We studied the membrane transport and the growth-inhibitory effects of the two thymidylate synthase inhibitors on human CCRF-CEM leukemia cells with different transport properties for folic acid, reduced folates, and methotrexate (MTX). Membrane transport of [3H]ICI-198,583 can proceed via the high affinity/low capacity reduced folate carrier as supported by findings that (a) uptake of [3H]ICI-198,583 was significantly impaired in CEM cells which have a transport defect for MTX, (b) variants of CEM cells which overproduce the reduced folate carrier system showed a concomitant increase in the uptake of [3H]ICI-198,583 as for [3H]MTX, (c) MTX inhibited transport of [3H]ICI-198,583, and (d) uptake of [3H]ICI-198,583 was inhibited after treatment of CEM cells with an N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of MTX, which is a potent inhibitor of MTX transport. However, a membrane-associated folate-binding protein (FBP) offers another route for entry of CB3717 and ICI-198,583. CEM-FBP cells that have an elevated amount of FBP and do not have a functional reduced folate carrier were 640- and 61-fold more sensitive to CB3717 and ICI-198,583, respectively, compared to control CEM cells expressing the reduced folate/MTX carrier. This high sensitivity was related to a high affinity of the FBP for CB3717 and ICI-198,583 (Kd 2-3 nM), which is only 3-fold lower than for folic acid (Kd 1 nM) but significantly higher than for MTX (Kd 100 nM). Furthermore, after incubation of CEM-FBP cells for 24 h at 10 nM [3H]ICI-198,583, the high affinity binding of the FBP for ICI-198,583 allowed a 600-fold concentrative uptake of [3H]ICI-198,583 and its conversion to polyglutamate forms. These results indicate that multiple folate transport systems may be involved in the uptake of folate-based thymidylate synthase inhibitors.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1990

Methotrexate transport in variant human CCRF-CEM leukemia cells with elevated levels of the reduced folate carrier. Selective effect on carrier-mediated transport of physiological concentrations of reduced folates.

This study reports the isolation and characterization of a variant of the human CCRF-CEM leukemia cell line that overproduces the carrier protein responsible for the uptake of reduced folates and the folate analogue methotrexate. The variant was obtained by adapting CCRF-CEM cells for prolonged times to stepwise decreasing concentrations of 5-formyltetrahydrofolate as the sole folate source in the cell culture medium. From cells that were grown on less than 1 nM 5-formyl-tetrahydrofolate, a variant (CEM-7A) was isolated exhibiting a 95-fold increased Vmax for [3H]methotrexate influx compared to parental CCRF-CEM cells. The values for influx Km, efflux t0.5, and Ki for inhibition by other folate (analogue) compounds were unchanged. Affinity labeling of the carrier with an N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of [3H]methotrexate demonstrate an approximately 30-fold increased incorporation of [3H] methotrexate in CEM-7A cells. This suggests that the up-regulation of [3H]methotrexate influx is not only due to an increased amount of carrier protein, but also to an increased rate of carrier translocation or an improved cooperativity between carrier protein molecules. Incubation for 1 h at 37 degrees C of CEM-7A cells with a concentration of 5-formyltetrahydrofolate or 5-methyltetrahydrofolate in the physiological range (25 nM) resulted in a 7-fold decline in [3H]methotrexate influx. This down-regulation during incubations with 5-formyltetrahydrofolate or 5-methyltetrahydrofolate could be prevented by either the addition of 10-25 nM of the lipophilic antifolate trimetrexate or by preincubating CEM-7A cells with 25 nM methotrexate. The down-regulatory effect was specifically induced by reduced folates since incubation of CEM-7A cells with 25 nM of either methotrexate, 10-ethyl-10-deazaaminopterin, aminopterin, or folic acid, or a mixture of purines and thymidine, had no effect on [3H]methotrexate influx. Similarly, these down-regulatory effects on [3H]methotrexate transport by 5-formyltetrahydrofolate, and its reversal by trimetrexate or methotrexate, were also observed, though to a lower extent, for parental CCRF-CEM cells grown in folate-depleted medium rather than in standard medium containing high folate concentrations. These results indicate that mediation of reduced folate/methotrexate transport can occur at reduced folate concentrations in the physiological range, and suggest that the intracellular folate content may be a critical determinant in the regulation of methotrexate transport.

Biological Transport↗