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PubMed1990

Synthesis and antitumor evaluation in mice of certain 7-deazapurine (pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine) and 3-deazapurine (imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine) nucleosides structurally related to sulfenosine, sulfinosine, and sulfonosine.

7-Deaza (pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine) and 3-deaza (imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine) congeners of sulfenosine (5a and 9), sulfinosine (6a and 10), and sulfonosine (7a) have been prepared and evaluated for their antileukemic activity in mice. Amination of 2-amino-7-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-4(3H)-th ion e (4a) and its 2'-deoxy analogue (4c) with a chloramine solution gave the corresponding 4-sulfenamides (5a and 5c, respectively), which on selective oxidation with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (MCPBA) gave the respective diastereomeric 2-amino-7-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-4-sulfinamide (7-deazasulfinosine, 6a) and its 2'-deoxy derivative (6c). A similar amination of 7-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-4(3H)- thione (4b) gave the corresponding 4-sulfenamide derivative (5b). Oxidation of 5b with 1 molar equiv of MCPBA furnished (R,S)-7-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine- 4- sulfinamide (6b), whereas use of excess of MCPBA afforded the corresponding sulfonamide derivative (7b). Treatment of 3-deaza-6-thioguanosine (8) with a chloramine solution gave 3-deazasulfenosine (6-amino-1-beta-D- ribofuranosylimidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-4-sulfenamide, 9). Controlled oxidation of 9 with MCPBA afforded 3-deazasulfinosine (10). As gauged by increases in the mean postinoculation life spans of L1210 inoculated mice, none of these nucleosides exhibited biologically significant activity (T/C greater than or equal to 125). Even so, antileukemic activity appeared to be influenced, albeit not uniformly, by structural modifications in the base and carbohydrate moieties of sulfenosine and sulfinosine. Thus, while several of the compounds were lacking in cytotoxic activity, eight others (4c, 5a, 5c, 6a, 6b, 7b, 9, and 10) were estimated to have reduced body burdens of viable L1210 cells by 16-77%.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Synthesis and biological activity of certain 3,4-disubstituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine nucleosides.

A number of 3,4-disubstituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine ribonucleosides were synthesized and tested for their biological activity. Glycosylation of persilylated as well as nonsilylated 3-bromoallopurinol with 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-D-ribofuranose (4) provided the key intermediate 3-bromo-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-pyrazolo[3,4-d] pyrimidin-4(5H)-one (5a). Similar glycosylations of 3-cyanoallopurinol and 3-(methylthio)allopurinol furnished the corresponding protected N-1 glycosyl derivatives (5b and 5c). Debenzoylation of these nucleosides (5a-c) gave the corresponding 3-bromo-, 3-cyano-, and 3-(methylthio)allopurinol nucleosides (6a-c). The site of glycosylation and anomeric configuration of 6a and 6c were assigned on the basis of spectral studies as well as conversion to allopurinol ribonucleoside, whereas the structural assignment of 6b was made by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Conventional functional group transformation of 5a and 5b provided a number of novel 3-substituted allopurinol nucleosides, which included 10a and 18a-d. Glycosylation of 4-amino-3-bromopyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (14) with 4 and subsequent debenzoylation gave 3-bromo-4-aminopyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine ribonucleoside (13a) from which 3,4-diamino-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (13b) was obtained by amination. Thiation of 5b, followed by deblocking, gave 3-cyanothiopurinol ribonucleoside (20). All of these compounds were tested in vitro against certain viruses, tumor cells, and the parasite Leishmania tropica. Among the 3-substituted allopurinol nucleosides, 18b and 18c showed significant activity against Para 3 virus and were found to be potent inhibitors of growth of L1210 and P388 leukemia. Compound 20 exhibited the most significant broad-spectrum in vitro antiviral and antitumor activity. 3-Bromoallopurinol ribonucleoside (6a) was found to be more active than allopurinol ribonucleoside against Leishmania tropica within human macrophages in vitro.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Synthesis and biological activity of a novel adenosine analogue, 3-beta-D-ribofuranosylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one.

The title nucleoside 5 was prepared by a condensation of the silylated heterocycle thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one (1) with 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-ribofuranose (2a) in the presence of a Lewis acid or with 2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-D-ribofuranosyl bromide (2b) in the presence of mercuric oxide and mercuric bromide. The site of ribosylation and anomeric configuration of this nucleoside were established by 1H NMR. The synthesis of 3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one (8), 1-phenyl-5-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-one (9), 5-methyl-3-beta-D-ribofuranosylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one (10), and 2-methyl-6-beta-D-ribofuranosyltriazolo[5,4-d]pyrimidin-7-one (11) is also described. The title compound inhibited the growth of murine L-1210 leukemic cells in vitro with an ID50 of 3 X 10(-5)M. The growth inhibition could not be prevented by uridine, cytidine, thymidine, deoxycytidine, cytosine, hypoxanthine, or uridine and hypoxanthine together. On the other hand, inhibition of adenosine kinase by 10(-7) M 5-iodotubercidin prevented the cytotoxic effect. Also a subline of L-1210 cells resistant to several cytotoxic adenosine analogues was also resistant to this nucleoside. Thus it appears that this compound 5 may act as an adenosine analogue.

Adenosine↗

PubMed2002

From imidazoles to pyrimidines: new inhibitors of cytokine release.

On the basis of model imidazole inhibitors of cytokine release, a series of novel pyridinyl pyrimidine derivatives was prepared and tested on their ability to inhibit the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and human whole blood. In the pyrimidine series, structure-activity relationships (SARs) similar to those of the imidazole series were found, although generally pyrimidine compounds were less potent. Modification of the substituent at the 2 position of the pyrimidine led to the most active compound 14 which inhibited release of TNF-alpha (IC(50) = 3.2 microM) and IL-1beta (IC(50) = 2.3 microM) from PBMC as effectively as the model imidazole inhibitor ML 3163 (TNF-alpha, IC(50) = 3.7 microM; IL-1beta, IC(50) = 0.9 microM). Screening in an isolated enzyme assay revealed both imidazole and pyrimidine compounds as inhibitors of p38 MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMed1996

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors. 10. Isomeric 4-[(3-bromophenyl)amino]pyrido[d]-pyrimidines are potent ATP binding site inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase function of the epidermal growth factor receptor.

Following the discovery of the very high inhibitory ability of the 4-[(3-bromophenyl)amino]-quinazolines against the tyrosine kinase activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (e.g., 3, IC50 0.029 nM), four series of related pyrido[d]pyrimidines bearing electron-donating groups at the 6- or 7-positions have been synthesized and evaluated. The compounds were prepared by nucleophilic substitution of the corresponding 6- and 7-fluoro analogues. While members of all series showed potent inhibitory activity against isolated EGFR, there were important differences between the different isomeric pyrido[d]pyrimidines and the parent quinazolines. Overall, the [3,4-d] and [4,3-d] series were the most potent, followed by the [3,2-d] compounds, with the [2,3-d] analogues being least active. Whereas in the parent quinazoline series the addition of steric bulk to a 6- or 7-NH2 substituent (i.e., NHMe and NMe2 groups) dramatically decreased potency, no such trend was discernable in the [3,2-d] series. Furthermore, in the 7-substituted pyrido[4,3-d]- and 6-substituted pyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidine series, and to a limited extent in the 7-substituted pyrido[2,3-d] series, such substitution increased potency dramatically, to the extent that the 7-(methylamino)pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidine (5f) (IC50 0.13 nM) and 6-(methylamino)pyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidine (7f) (IC50 0.008 nM) constitute important new leads. Selected compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit EGFR autophosphorylation in A431 cells, and a positive quantitative correlation was found between this activity and inhibitory activity against the isolated enzyme.

ErbB Receptors↗

PubMed1996

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines: potent and selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonists.

A series of 12 substituted 1-phenylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines were synthesized and evaluated for rat brain adenosine A1 and A2a receptor binding affinity. Substituents at C-4 and C-6 were varied in order to define these regions in terms of molecular recognition by the receptor subtypes. At C-4, the effects of a mercapto, methylthio, and amino substituent were evaluated, while at C-6, amides with varying alkyl groups extending from the alpha-carbon were examined. This study identified both potent and selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonists. The most potent of the 12 compounds was alpha-[(4-amino-1-phenylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-6-yl)thio]hexanamide (14); with an A1 Ki of 0.939 nM and an A2a Ki of 88.3 nM, this compound is 94-fold A1 selective. The most selective of the 12 compounds was alpha-[[4-(methylthio)-1-phenylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-6-yl]thio]hex anamide (10); with an A1 Ki of 6.81 nM and an A2a Ki > 40 000 nM, this compound is > 5900-fold A1 selective. The structure-activity relationships for the complete series has identified discrete structural differences between the A1 and A2a receptors with respect to the binding of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines. This study resulted in prediction that increased A1 affinity could be achieved by incorporation of NH-alkyl substituents at C-4. This was confirmed by synthesis of alpha-[[4-(methylamino)-1-phenylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-6-yl]thiol] hexanamide (15) which was found to have an A1 Ki of 0.745 nM.

Adenosine↗

PubMed1997

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors. 12. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships for 6-substituted 4-(phenylamino)pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrimidines designed as inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor.

A series of 6-substituted 4-anilinopyrimido[5,4-d]pyrimidines has been prepared and shown to be potent inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). These compounds are structurally related to the pyrido[3,2-d]- and pyrido[3,4-d]-pyrimidines previously shown to be EGFR inhibitors. Their structure-activity relationships (SAR) for inhibition of the isolated enzyme more closely resemble those of the [3,2-d] than the [3,4-d] pyridopyrimidine isomers. This suggests the requirement of an aza atom in the 7- but not the 5-position (i.e., a carbon atom in the 5-position) for the enhanced potency shown by 6-N-methylated derivatives in each series. X-ray crystal structures were determined for the three NHMe derivatives 2, 3, and 5c in the pyrido[9,2-d]-, pyrido[3,4-d]-, and pyrimido[5,4-d]-pyrimidine series, respectively. These show that a carbon rather than a nitrogen atom at the 5-position leads to significant conformational changes in the molecule (a longer C5a-C4 bond and a 30 degrees out-of-plane rotation of the phenyl group), due to the requirement to relieve nonbonding interactions between the C5 and N9 protons. Pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrimidine analogues bearing bulky, weakly basic solubilizing side chains linked to the 6-position through a secondary amine generally retained potency both against the isolated enzyme and for inhibition of autophosphorylation of EGFR in intact A431 cells. This agrees with a recent binding model that suggests this general class of compounds binds to EGFR with the 6-position located in an area of comparative bulk tolerance at the entrance to the ATP-binding pocket. While these solubilized pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrimidine analogues were less potent than the NHMe derivative 5c in the isolated enzyme assay, some were considerably superior to 5c (and among the most potent ever reported) as inhibitors of EGFR autophosphorylation in cellular assays.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1998

Selective Pneumocystis carinii dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors: design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of new 2,4-diamino-5-substituted-furo[2,3-d]pyrimidines.

Nonclassical antifolates, 2,4-diamino-5-substituted-furo[2, 3-d]pyrimidines 3-12 with bridge region variations of C8-S9, C8-N9, and C8-O9 and 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, 2-phenoxyphenyl, 4-phenoxyphenyl, and 2-biphenyl side chains were synthesized as phenyl ring appended analogues of previously reported 2, 4-diamino-5-(anilinomethyl)furo[2,3-d]pyrimidines. The phenyl ring appended analogues were designed to specifically interact with Phe69 of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from Pneumocystis carinii (pc) to afford selective inhibitors of pcDHFR. Additional substituted phenyl side chains which include 2,5-dichloro, 3,4-dichloro, 3,4,5-trichloro, 3-methoxy, and 2,5-dimethoxy analogues 13-17 were also synthesized. The compounds were prepared by nucleophilic displacement of 2,4-diamino-5-(chloromethyl)furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine(2) with the appropriate thiol, amine, or naphthol. Compound 2 was obtained from 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine and 1, 3-dichloroacetone. The compounds were evaluated as inhibitors against DHFR from P. carinii, Toxoplasma gondii, and rat liver. Two analogues, 2,4-diamino-5-[(2'-naphthylthio)methyl]furo[2, 3-d]pyrimidine (5) and 2,4-diamino-5-[(2'-phenylanilino)methyl]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine (11) showed significant selectivity and potency for pcDHFR compared to trimethoprim. The X-ray crystal structure of 5 with pcDHFR was also carried out, which corroborated the design rationale and indicated a hydrophobic interaction of the naphthalene ring of 5 and Phe69 of pcDHFR which is responsible, in part, for the more than 18-fold selectivity of 5 for pcDHFR as compared with rat liver DHFR.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Studies toward the synthesis of alpha-fluorinated phosphonates via tin-mediated cleavage of alpha-fluoro-alpha-(pyrimidin-2-ylsulfonyl)alkylphosphonates. Intramolecular cyclization of the alpha-phosphonyl radicals.

Treatment of the alpha carbanions generated from several alpha-(pyrimidin-2-ylsulfonyl)alkylphosphonates with Selectfluor gave high yields of the alpha-fluoro-alpha-(pyrimidin-2-ylsulfonyl)alkylphoshonates, which were desulfonylated [Bu(3)SnH/2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)/benzene or toluene/Delta] to give alpha-fluoroalkylphosphonates. "Catalytic" tin hydride, generated from tributyltin chloride and excess polymethylhydrosiloxane in the presence of potassium fluoride, also effected removal of the pi-deficient alpha-(pyrimidin-2-ylsulfonyl) group from the phosphonate esters. Substitution of Bu(3)SnD for Bu(3)SnH gave access to alpha-deuterium-labeled phosphonates. Prolonged treatment of alpha-(pyridin-2-ylsulfonyl)alkylphosphonate with excess Bu(3)SnH/AIBN or catalytic tin hydride also effected desulfonylation but in moderate yields. This represents a mild new methodology for removal of the synthetically useful pi-deficient heterocyclic sulfone moiety and an alternative route for the preparation of alpha-fluorinated phosphonates. Desulfonylation is suggested to proceed via attack of tin radical at an oxygen (or sulfur) atom of the sulfonyl group to give a stabilized alpha-phosphonyl radical intermediate. The latter was found to undergo 5-exo-trig ring closure to give the corresponding 2-methylcyclopentylphosphonates. Treatment of diethyl 1-bromohex-6-enylphosphonate with Bu(3)SnH/AIBN produced an analogous mixture of ring-closure products. Treatment of [(2-bromo-5- methoxyphenyl)(fluoro)(pyrimidin-2-ylsulfonyl)]methylphosphonate with Bu(3)SnH resulted in an intramolecular radical [1,5]-ipso substitution reaction and migration of the pyrimidinyl ring to give fluoro[5-methoxy-2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)phenyl]methylphosphonate.

Alkanes↗

PubMed1998

Basis of pyrimidine nucleotide metabolism in the myocardium.

The metabolism of pyrimidine nucleotides in the myocardium is poorly understood. The turnover of these nucleotides is high, whereas their concentration is rather low. The de novo pathway of synthesis does not seem very efficient, although the utilization of nucleosides could represent the major pathway for pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis. In rat blood, cytidine could be the major precursor for pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis. The precursor, whatever its exact nature (uridine or cytidine), could be species dependent, and the liver could a major role in providing blood nucleosides. Owing to the essential role of pyrimidine nucleotides in the synthesis of macromolecules, acute or chronic alteration of the metabolism of these nucleotides could have crucial consequences on heart viability and function. Providing pyrimidine precursors to the heart, isolated or in situ, induces functional and metabolic effects on the heart. The experimental results suggest that such interventions could be beneficial in clinical situations such as cardioplegia, heart preservation, or recovery from ischemia.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Protection against UV-induced pyrimidine dimerization in DNA by triplex formation.

Cyclobutane and [6-4]-pyrimidine dimers are major photoproducts of ultraviolet-irradiated DNA. The yield of these photoproducts is dependent on the sequence and structure of the DNA. By analysing the photofootprints of fragments produced by cleavage of the DNA chain near [6-4]-pyrimidine dimers, we show here that a homopurine-homopyrimidine insert (with either d(TC)x or d(C)n) in plasmid pUC19 is, as expected, a good target for UV-induced pyrimidine-dimer formation. But we find that dimerization is virtually completely suppressed when the pyrimidine oligonucleotides d(TC)y or d(C)m are added to DNA carrying d(TC)x- or d(C)n-containing inserts, respectively. This effect is dependent on the type of oligonucleotide used and is site-specific. The protection occurs under acidic conditions that favour the formation of intermolecular triplexes between the homopurine-homopyrimidine inserts and homologous oligopyrimidines. We therefore conclude that triplex formation effectively protects the DNA duplex from UV-induced damage (pyrimidine dimerization). This observation makes the photofootprinting assay a very promising method for studying intermolecular and intramolecular triplexes (H-form DNA) both in vitro and in vivo.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2002

De novo pyrimidine biosynthesis is required for virulence of Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous protozoan parasite that is responsible for severe congenital birth defects and fatal toxoplasmic encephalitis in immunocompromized people. Fundamental aspects of obligate intracellular replication and pathogenesis are only now beginning to emerge for protozoan parasites. T. gondii has a fragmented pathway for salvaging pyrimidine nucleobases derived from the parasite or host cell, and this limited pyrimidine salvage capacity is funnelled exclusively through uracil phosphoribosyltransferase. Disrupting the function of this enzyme does not affect the growth of T. gondii tachyzoites, which suggests that the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway may be necessary for growth. We have examined the virulence of T. gondii mutants that lack carbamoyl phosphate synthetase II (uracil auxotrophs) to determine whether de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis is required in vivo. Here we show that T. gondii uracil auxotrophs are completely avirulent not only in immune-competent BALB/c mice but also in mice that lack interferon-gamma. A single injection of the uracil auxotroph into BALB/c mice induces long-term protective immunity to toxoplasmosis. Our findings indicate the significance of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway for the virulence of parasitic protozoa, and suggest routes for developing vaccines and chemotherapy.

Animals↗

PubMed1975

Stability of pyrimidine oligodeoxyribonucleotides released during degradation of deoxyribonucleic acid with formic acid-diphenylamine reagent.

A small release of Pi from a diphenylamine-formic acid digest of DNA was detected after elimination of interpurine phosphodiester bonds was complete. Minor components in the DNA digest were identified as pyrimidine oligonucleotides which had lost one terminal phosphate. Isolated pyrimidine tracts released Pi on redigestion with the formic acid-diphenylamine reagent in amounts that increased with the number of nucleotides in the oligonucleotide taken. The oligonucleotides were also partially degraded by the formic acid-diphenylamine reagent and the degradation (2-3% of phosphodiester bonds between consecutive nucleotides) was almost independent of chain length. The cleavage was random with no preference for a phosphodiester bond flanked by particular nucleosides. This minor lack of specificity in the formic acid-diphenylamine-catalysed degradation of DNA can, however, account for the low recoveries of long pyrimidine tracts previously reported. Any analysis of pyrimidine tracts in a DNA molecule should make some correction for this small degree of degradation if exact assignments of the numbers of pyrimidine tracts are to be made.

Aniline Compounds↗

PubMed1996

Single-strand-DNA-binding factors specifically recognize the pyrimidine element in the chick alpha2(I) collagen gene promoter.

A pyrimidine element with mirror repeats centered at position -192 bp of the chick alpha2(I) collagen promoter interacts with sequence-specific DNA-binding factors. These factors bind to only the pyrimidine strand of this region and have no affinity for the complementary purine strand. Binding activity is also seen with the double-stranded form of this element, but with less affinity than to the single-stranded pyrimidine species. Southwestern blot analyses have shown that proteins of 80 and 134 kDa in chick embryo fibroblast nuclear-extracts bind to the pyrimidine strand, whereas only a 134 kDa DNA-binding protein was found in chondrocyte nuclear extracts. The binding mechanism of these nuclear proteins with single-stranded DNA might be based on a non-B-DNA conformation of the pyrimidine element. The position of this binding site in the promoter region, its potential for adopting an unusual secondary structure and the presence of the 80 kDa binding factor in chick embryo fibroblasts, but not in chondrocytes, suggest a possible role for this factor in the expression of the alpha2(I) collagen gene.

Animals↗

PubMed1972

Pyrimidine sequences from the DNA of bacteriophages fd, fl, and phi X174.

By the use of techniques previously developed to determine the sequence of large, unique pyrimidine oligonucleotides in bacteriophage fd DNA, pyrimidine sequences in the related phage fl and the unrelated phage varphiX174 amber 3 were determined. The DNA of fl contains many pyrimidine sequences completely identical to those in fd, including one sequence of 20 base residues. The large pyrimidine oligonucleotides in varphiX174 DNA are quite different from those in fd, although some homology is observed. There is present in each of the phage DNAs a pyrimidine oligonucleotide rich in thymidine that contains a common sequence of C_T_T_T_T_T_T_T.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1982

Recombinational bypass of pyrimidine dimers promoted by the recA protein of Escherichia coli.

recA protein, in the presence of single-stranded DNA binding protein and ATP, promotes the complete exchange of strands between circular single-stranded DNA containing pyrimidine dimers and a homologous linear duplex, converting the pyrimidine dimer-containing single-stranded DNA to a circular duplex. Bypass of a pyrimidine dimer during the branch-migration phase of the reaction requires approximately 20 seconds, a rate 1/50th of that in the absence of the dimer. The circular duplex product is specifically incised by the pyrimidine dimer-specific T4 endonuclease V, and the resulting 3' hydroxyl termini can serve as primers for deoxynucleotide polymerization by DNA polymerase I. These findings indicate that recA protein serves a direct role in recombinational repair and demonstrate that the pyrimidine dimers that have been bypassed can be processed by enzymes of the excision-repair pathway.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1985

Perturbation of maintenance and de novo DNA methylation in vitro by UVB (280-340 nm)-induced pyrimidine photodimers.

The effect of pyrimidine photodimers on transmethylation reactions catalyzed by a highly purified rat liver DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.37) that exhibits maintenance and de novo methylation activities was studied in vitro, using the viral substrates M13 mp9 replicative form (RF) DNA and the hemimethylated analog formed from primed synthesis of phage DNA in the presence of 2'-deoxy-5-methylcytidine 5'-triphosphate. These DNAs were irradiated with UVB (280-340 nm) at 900-3600 J/m2 in the presence of the triplet-state sensitizers acetone or 3-dimethylaminopropiophenone. Under these conditions of irradiation, which approximate solar UV, pyrimidine cyclobutane photodimers were introduced without producing any evidence of single-strand breaks or alkali-sensitive sites [i.e., no (6-4)pyrimidine-pyrimidone photoproducts]. This was confirmed by gel analysis, a T4 UV endonuclease nicking assay specific for cyclobutane-type dimers, and HPLC analysis of the photoproducts. The methylation of irradiated templates by DNA methyltransferase was inhibited in an approximately linear fashion as a function of increasing UVB dose. This inhibition was correlated with the number of lethal photoproducts detected by the simultaneous measurement of the surviving fraction of infectious phage DNA. For approximately the same number of pyrimidine cyclobutane photoproducts introduced, de novo methylation activity was approximately 2-fold more sensitive than the maintenance mode of methylation. The ability of these putatively carcinogenic, pyrimidine photoproducts to inhibit DNA methylation suggests a common mechanism of action with several chemical carcinogens that are known to modify bases.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Evidence for incorporation of intact dietary pyrimidine (but not purine) nucleosides into hepatic RNA.

The absorption and metabolism of dietary nucleic acids have received less attention than those of other organic nutrients, largely because of methodological difficulties. We supplemented the rations of poultry and mice with the edible alga Spirulina platensis, which had been uniformly labeled with 13C by hydroponic culture in 13CO2. The rations were ingested by a hen for 4 wk and by four mice for 6 days; two mice were fed a normal diet and two were fed a nucleic acid-deficient diet. The animals were killed and nucleosides were isolated from hepatic RNA. The isotopic enrichment of all mass isotopomers of the nucleosides was analyzed by selected ion monitoring of the negative chemical ionization mass spectrum and the labeling pattern was deconvoluted by reference to the enrichment pattern of the tracer material. We found a distinct difference in the 13C enrichment pattern between pyrimidine and purine nucleosides; the isotopic enrichment of uniformly labeled [M + 9] isotopomers of pyrimidines exceeded that of purines [M + 10] by > 2 orders of magnitude in the avian nucleic acids and by 7- and 14-fold in the murine nucleic acids. The purines were more enriched in lower mass isotopomers, those less than [M + 3], than the pyrimidines. Our results suggest that large quantities of dietary pyrimidine nucleosides and almost no dietary purine nucleosides are incorporated into hepatic nucleic acids without hydrolytic removal of the ribose moiety. In addition, our results support a potential nutritional role for nucleosides and suggest that pyrimidines are conditionally essential organic nutrients.

Adenosine↗