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Hydrophobic interaction between tryptophan and some synthetic nucleosides.

The interaction of 29 synthetic nucleosides with tryptophan was studied by charge-transfer reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography and the relative strength of interaction was calculated. In the majority of cases Trp significantly decreased the lipophilicity of the nucleosides. This effect may be due to the interaction between the more hydrophilic Trp and the more lipophilic nucleosides, resulting in charge-transfer complexes of moderate lipophilicity. Stepwise regression analysis proved that the length of the alkyl substituent of nucleosides significantly influences the strength of interaction. Our findings supports the hypothesis that the nucleosides turn toward Trp with their alkyl substituent and the binding is of hydrophobic character.

Chromatography, Thin Layer↗

Isolation and characterization of an L1210 cell line retaining the sodium-dependent carrier cif as its sole nucleoside transport activity.

Nucleoside permeation across mammalian cell membranes is complex with at least four distinct transporters known. Two of these (es and ei) are equilibrative (facilitated diffusion) carriers that have been studied is considerable detail. The other two (cif and cit) are concentrative, Na(+)-dependent carriers. A major obstacle to the characterization of the latter two mechanisms has been the lack of suitable model systems expressing only a single nucleoside transport activity. The present study describes the isolation of a cell line that has cif as its sole nucleoside transporter. L1210/MC5-1 cells, which have es and cif transport activity, were mutagenized and plated in soft agar containing two cytotoxic nucleosides (tubercidin (7-deazaadenosine) and cytosine arabinoside) that are substrates for es but not cif. A clonal line (L1210/MA-27.1) was isolated which retained the capacity for Na(+)-dependent [3H]formycin B transport but was unable to transport [3H]thymidine, a substrate for es but not cif. Failure of the mutant to transport thymidine was also demonstrated by the inability of thymidine (with adenine as a purine source) to rescue these cells from methotrexate toxicity. Furthermore, the mutant lacked nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR) binding activity (an integral part of the es transporter) as demonstrated by reversible NBMPR binding and photoaffinity labeling with [3H]NBMPR. Loss of es transport activity was also demonstrated by the failure of NBMPR to affect the toxicity of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (IC50 approximately 30 nM) in L1210/MA27.1 cells. In contrast, NBMPR decreased the IC50 for 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine from 100 to 30 nM in the parental L1210/MC5-1 cell line. These results are consistent with the mechanism of NBMPR potentiation of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine toxicity in L1210 cells being a blockade of efflux via es while the nucleoside is pumped into the cells by the concentrative cif carrier.

2-Chloroadenosine↗

Sodium-dependent nucleoside transport in mouse leukemia L1210 cells.

Nucleoside permeation in L1210/AM cells is mediated by (a) equilibrative (facilitated diffusion) transporters of two types and by (b) a concentrative Na(+)-dependent transport system of low sensitivity to nitrobenzylthioinosine and dipyridamole, classical inhibitors of equilibrative nucleoside transport. In medium containing 10 microM dipyridamole and 20 microM adenosine, the equilibrative nucleoside transport systems of L1210/AM cells were substantially inhibited and the unimpaired activity of the Na(+)-dependent nucleoside transport system resulted in the cellular accumulation of free adenosine to 86 microM in 5 min, a concentration three times greater than the steady-state levels of adenosine achieved without dipyridamole. Uphill adenosine transport was not observed when extracellular Na+ was replaced by Li+, K+, Cs+, or N-methyl-D-glucammonium ions, or after treatment of the cells with nystatin, a Na+ ionophore. These findings show that concentrative nucleoside transport activity in L1210/AM cells required an inward transmembrane Na+ gradient. Treatment of cells in sodium medium with 2 mM furosemide in the absence or presence of 2 mM ouabain inhibited Na(+)-dependent adenosine transport by 50 and 75%, respectively. However, because treatment of cells with either agent in Na(+)-free medium decreased adenosine transport by only 25%, part of this inhibition may be secondary to the effects of furosemide and ouabain on the ionic content of the cells. Substitution of extracellular Cl- by SO4(-2) or SCN- had no effect on the concentrative influx of adenosine.

Adenosine↗

Kinetic analysis of ligand binding to the Ehrlich cell nucleoside transporter: pharmacological characterization of allosteric interactions with the [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine binding site.

Kinetic analysis of the binding of [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine ([3H] NBMPR) to Ehrlich ascites tumor cell plasma membranes was conducted in the presence and absence of a variety of nucleoside transport inhibitors and substrates. The association of [3H] NBMPR with Ehrlich cell membranes occurred in two distinct phases, possibly reflecting functional conformation changes in the [3H]NBMPR binding site/nucleoside transporter complex. Inhibitors of the equilibrium binding of [3H]NBMPR, tested at submaximal inhibitory concentrations, generally decreased the rate of association of [3H]NBMPR, but the magnitude of this effect varied significantly with the agent tested. Adenosine and diazepam had relatively minor effects on the association rate, whereas dipyridamole and mioflazine slowed the rate dramatically. Inhibitors of nucleoside transport also decreased the rate of dissociation of [3H]NBMPR, with an order of potency significantly different from their relative potencies as inhibitors of the equilibrium binding of [3H]NBMPR. Dilazep, dipyridamole, and mioflazine were effective inhibitors of both [3H]NBMPR dissociation and equilibrium binding. The lidoflazine analogue R75231, on the other hand, had no effect on the rate of dissociation of [3H]NBMPR at concentrations below 300 microM, even though it was one of the most potent inhibitors of [3H]NBMPR binding tested (Ki less than 100 nM). In contrast, a series of natural substrates for the nucleoside transport system enhanced the rate of dissociation of [3H]NBMPR with an order of effectiveness that paralleled their relative affinities for the permeant site of the transporter. The most effective enhancers of [3H]NBMPR dissociation, however, were the benzodiazepines diazepam, chlordiazepoxide, and triazolam. Comparable effects of adenosine and dipyridamole on [3H]NBMPR dissociation rate were obtained upon solubilization of the membranes with octylglucoside, suggesting that this phenomenon was not due to changes in membrane fluidity. These results are compatible with the existence of specific ligand recognition sites on the nucleoside transport complex of Ehrlich cells that are pharmacologically distinct from, but allosterically linked to, the high affinity binding sites for [3H]NBMPR. The marked effects on [3H]NBMPR binding kinetics that result from ligand interactions with these sites must be considered in the design and analysis of all studies involving the use of [3H]NBMPR as a high affinity probe for the nucleoside transport system.

Affinity Labels↗

Nucleotide release from tubulin and nucleoside-5'-diphosphate kinase action in microtubule assembly.

ATP and UTP support microtubule assembly through the action of brain nucleoside-5'-diphosphate kinase on GDP. Penningroth and Kirschner (1977) J. Mol. Biol. 115, 643-673) have proposed that microtubule assembly may occur by either of two mechanisms: indirectly, through nucleoside-5'-diphosphate kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation of uncomplexed GDP and directly by nucleoside-5'-diphosphate kinase-mediated transphosphorylation of tubulin-bound GDP at low tubulin concentrations. We find the rates of GDP and GTP release (0.68 and 0.32 min-1, respectively) are sufficiently fast relative to assembly to permit GDP release, phosphorylation, and GTP binding as the sole mechanism of nucleoside-5'-diphosphate kinase action in microtubule assembly. Computer simulation studies accord with the conclusion that GDP release is rapid relative to microtubule assembly. The specific activity of the nucleoside-5'-diphosphate kinase is 1.7 nmol/min/mg of microtubular protein under the conditions studied. Pulse-chase experiments with tubulin . [14C]GDP complex and the rapidity of GDP phosphorylation by the kinase are in agreement with this scheme. Finally, it was observed that the extent and rate of microtubule assembly depends upon the [ATP]/[ADP] ratio.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Mechanism of adenosine triphosphate catabolism induced by deoxyadenosine and by nucleoside analogues in adenosine deaminase-inhibited human erythrocytes.

The mechanism of the depletion of ATP, recorded in the erythrocytes of adenosine deaminase-deficient children and of leukemia patients treated with deoxycoformycin, was investigated in normal human erythrocytes treated with this inhibitor of adenosine deaminase. Deoxyadenosine, which accumulates in both clinical conditions, provoked a dose-dependent accumulation of dATP, depletion of ATP, and increases in the production of inosine plus hypoxanthine. Concomitantly, there was an increase of AMP and IMP, but not of adenosine, indicating that catabolism proceeded by way of AMP deaminase. A series of nucleoside analogues (9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine, N6-methyladenosine, 6-methylmercaptopurine ribonucleoside, tubercidin, ribavirin, and N-1-ribosyl-5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside) also stimulated adenine nucleotide catabolism and increased AMP and IMP to various extents. The effects of deoxyadenosine and of the nucleoside analogues were prevented by 5'-iodotubercidin, an inhibitor of adenosine kinase. Strikingly, they were reversed if the inhibitor was added after the accumulation of nucleotide analogues and initiation of adenine nucleotide catabolism. Further analyses revealed linear relationships between the rate of phosphorylation of deoxyadenosine and nucleoside analogues and the increase in AMP and between the elevation of the latter above a threshold concentration of 10 microM and the rate of adenine nucleotide catabolism. Kinetic studies with purified erythrocytic AMP deaminase, at physiological concentrations of its effectors, showed that the enzyme is nearly inactive up to 10 microM AMP and increases in activity above this threshold. We conclude that the main mechanism whereby deoxyadenosine and nucleoside analogues stimulate catabolism of adenine nucleotides by way of AMP deaminase in erythrocytes is elevation of AMP, secondary to the phosphorylation of the nucleosides.

Adenine↗

The in vitro evaluation of nucleoside analogues as probes for use in the noninvasive diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis.

1-(2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil (FIAU) and the 5-iodo (FIRU), 5-bromo (FBrRU), 5-chloro (FClRU) and 5-fluoro (FFRU) analogues of 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)uracil were examined in four in vitro tests designed to evaluate their potential as radiopharmaceuticals in a non-invasive diagnostic test for herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE). The tests involved, (a) cellular uptake studies--which showed that all five nucleosides are selectively trapped in rabbit kidney cells infected with herpes simplex virus, type I, which codes for its own thymidine kinase; (b) incubation studies--which showed that, in human platelets, FIAU, FIRU and FFRU are not degraded by thymidine phosphorylase (an enzyme which catalyzes the glycosidic bond cleavage of physiological nucleosides); (c) a transport study, using mouse erythrocytes--which indicated that all five nucleosides have good affinity for a NBMPR-sensitive nucleoside transporter, with inhibition constants (Ki values in the range of 0.177-0.41; and (d) determination of octanol/water partition coefficients--which (log P = -0.14 to -1.67) indicated that FIAU is the most lipophilic of the five compounds studied, and may therefore cross the blood-brain barrier most readily. We conclude from the results that FIAU is the most promising compound for further evaluation in HSE animal models. The combination of tests described in this study provide a useful screening protocol for evaluation of other nucleoside analogues of potential use in a diagnostic test for HSE.

Animals↗

Renal transepithelial transport of nucleosides.

Previous work from this and other laboratories has suggested that the mammalian kidney has unique mechanisms for handling purine nucleosides. For example, in humans and in mice, adenosine undergoes net renal reabsorption whereas deoxyadenosine is secreted [Kuttesch and Nelson: Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol. 8, 221 (1982)]. The relationships between these renal transport systems and classical renal organic cation and anion, carbohydrate, and cell membrane nucleoside transport carriers are not established. To investigate possible relationships between such carriers, we have tested effects of selected classical transport inhibitors on the renal clearances of adenosine, deoxyadenosine, 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-dFUR), and 5-fluorouracil in mice. The secretion of deoxyadenosine and 5'-dFUR, but not the reabsorption of adenosine or 5-fluorouracil, was prevented by the classical nucleoside transport inhibitors, dipyridamole and nitrobenzylthioinosine. Cimetidine, an inhibitor of the organic cation secretory system, also inhibited the secretion of 5'-dFUR, although it did not inhibit deoxyadenosine secretion in earlier studies [Nelson et al.: Biochem. Pharmacol. 32, 2323 (1983)]. The specific inhibitor of glucose renal reabsorption, phloridzin, failed to inhibit the reabsorption of adenosine or the secretion of deoxyadenosine. Failure of the nucleoside transport inhibitors and phloridzin to prevent adenosine reabsorption suggests that adenosine reabsorption may occur via a unique process. On the other hand, inhibition of the net secretion of deoxyadenosine and 5'-dFUR by dipyridamole and nitrobenzylthioinosine implies a role for the carrier that is sensitive to these compounds in the renal secretion (active transport) of these nucleosides.

Animals↗

Isolation and structure elucidation of an epoxide derivative of the hypermodified nucleoside queuosine from Escherichia coli transfer RNA.

A new nucleoside has been identified in tRNATyr from Escherichia coli MRE 600, where it replaces the highly modified nucleoside queuosine. The nucleoside is also present in a large amount relative to queuosine in mixed tRNA from E. coli strains MRE 600 and W (from which it was isolated for characterization). The new nucleoside has been characterized as an epoxy derivative of queuosine: 7-(5-[(2,3-epoxy-4,5-dihydroxycyclopent-1-yl)amino]methyl)-7-de azaguanosine, oQ, based on data from directly combined liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, high resolution mass spectrometry, and proton NMR spectroscopy. Nucleoside oQ is also present in small amounts in mixed tRNA from E. coli B. Isomerization of oQ occurs readily under alkaline conditions to give a rearranged product, oQ', characterized as 7-(5-[(3,4-epoxy-2,5-dihydroxycyclopent-1-yl)amino]methyl)-7-deaza guanosine. The present finding constitutes the first report of epoxide formation during post-transcriptional processing of RNA.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Defective facilitated diffusion of nucleosides, a primary mechanism of resistance to 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine in the HCT-8 human carcinoma line.

In vitro resistance of HCT-8 cells to 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FdUrd) has been obtained after a stepwise increase (up to 1 microM) in the concentration of the nucleoside in the culture medium over a period of 6 months. With a clonogenic assay, the toxicities of 17 antineoplastic agents on HCT-8-sensitive and -resistant cells were compared. Resistant cells were 700-fold resistant to FdUrd and showed different degrees of cross-resistance to several purine and pyrimidine nucleoside analogues; no cross-resistance was noted to base analogues and other cytotoxic drugs. The activities of FdUrd phosphorylase, 5'-fluorouridine kinase, 5-fluorouridine phosphorylase, 5-fluorouracil phosphoribosyltransferase, and thymidylate synthase were not significantly different in the sensitive and resistant cell lines. Mixing experiments indirectly excluded the possible elevation of the level of cytoplasmic phosphatases. The activity of FdUrd kinase in sensitive cell extracts was no more than twice that of resistant cells, and the affinities of this enzyme for FdUrd and thymidine at 0.1 to 50 microM were similar in both cell lines. However, cultures of this line failed to accumulate 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridylate at concentrations of FdUrd that resulted in substantial accumulation of the nucleotide in the sensitive line. These contrasting data suggested a defect in the facilitated diffusion of the analogue. The entrance of free nucleoside and its subsequent phosphorylation were compared in the two lines over short (2 to 40 s) and longer time periods at 25 degrees C and at 4 degrees C over a range of extracellular FdUrd concentrations (0.1 to 10 microM). Rapid entrance of the nucleoside into sensitive cells was observed, but entry was not detectable in resistant cells. Dipyridamole and nitrobenzylthioinosine inhibition as well as high-performance liquid chromatography analysis confirmed that data obtained from the sensitive cell line during the first 40 s primarily reflected facilitated diffusion of free nucleoside.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Changes in nucleoside transport of HL-60 human promyelocytic cells during N,N-dimethylformamide induced differentiation.

The rate of nucleoside transport decreased profoundly in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells after myeloid differentiation was induced by 5-6 days of exposure to 0.8% N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The facilitated diffusion of 100 microM radiolabeled adenosine and 2'-deoxyadenosine, measured by rapid transport assays, decreased 10- to 20-fold. The transport of 2 microM coformycin or 2'-deoxycoformycin, which is mediated by the same mechanism and was monitored by the adenosine deaminase titration assay, decreased 29-fold. The reduction in nucleoside transport capacity after DMF treatment was confirmed by a 19-fold decrease in the number of specific binding sites per cell (from 24-30 X 10(4) to 1.2-1.7 X 10(4)) for [3H]-6-p-nitrobenzylthioinosine, a nucleoside transport inhibitor. The binding affinity of 6-p-nitrobenzylthioinosine was not altered significantly and nucleoside transport remained sensitive to the transport inhibitors, 6-p-nitrobenzylthioinosine, dipyridamole, and dilazep after DMF-induced maturation. Time-dependence studies showed that the rate of 100 microM deoxyadenosine transport was unchanged for the first 24 h of exposure to DMF but fell to about 36% of control rates at 24-26 h and then gradually decreased further to about 4-5% of control rates after 5-6 days. In contrast, transport rates of the purine bases were reduced only 2- to 3-fold in HL-60 cells after 5 days of DMF treatment. The rates of adenosine and deoxyadenosine transport were unchanged or reduced by no more than 2-fold after 5-6 days of exposure to 0.8% DMF in the following human tumor cell lines that are not inducible with DMF: ARH-77 (multiple myeloma), KG-1 (acute myelogenous), and K-562 (chronic myelogenous). Thus, changes in nucleoside transport may serve as an early, membrane-associated marker of differentiation of the HL-60 cell line.

Adenosine↗

Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid nucleosides and oxypurines in acute liver failure.

Concentrations of pyrimidine nucleosides (with the possible exception of uridine) and oxypurines in mammalian plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are maintained relatively constant by potent homeostatic mechanisms. To test the importance of the intact liver in maintaining homeostasis of pyrimidine nucleosides and oxypurines in plasma and CSF, we performed a greater than 90% or sham hepatectomy on New Zealand white rabbits. At 1, 6, 12, or 24 hours after real or sham hepatectomy, plasma and CSF nucleosides and oxypurines were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. At all times after hepatectomy, the concentrations of the pyrimidine deoxyribonucleosides (deoxycytidine, deoxyuridine, and thymidine) were increased approximately threefold in plasma and CSF compared with sham-operated controls. Twenty-four hours after hepatectomy, the concentrations of uridine and cytidine in plasma were decreased by 70% and 50%, respectively, and in CSF by 50% and 40%, respectively, when compared with the concentrations in the sham-operated controls. Hypoxanthine concentrations in CSF were increased approximately twofold at 6, 12, and 24 hours after hepatectomy. These results suggest that liver function is essential for the maintenance of normal concentrations of pyrimidine nucleosides in plasma and CSF. That pyrimidine nucleoside concentrations are disrupted in plasma and CSF in this model of acute liver failure suggests that pools of pyrimidine nucleotides in some tissues (e.g., brain) may be altered by liver failure.

Animals↗

Nuclear-envelope nucleoside triphosphatase: stimulation by poly(A) (+)mRNA and modulation by microtubule protein.

Nuclear envelopes contain a nucleoside triphosphatase which is thought to be involved in the supply of energy for nucleo-cytoplasmic RNA transport. This enzyme is stimulated most efficiently by poly(A) and to a lesser extent by poly(G) and poly(dT). Half-maximal stimulation of the enzyme from rat liver nuclei, which was associated with the poly(A)-specific Endoribonuclease IV and was free from poly(A) polymerase and Endoribonuclease V activity, was determined to occur at a concentration of 1.1 X 10(6) poly(A) molecules/nuclear ghost. Double-reciprocal plot analysis revealed a 2.8-fold stimulation of the enzyme by poly(A). Poly(A) in the hybrid form had no influence on the activity of the nucleoside triphosphatase. Stimulation by oligo(A) required a minimal chain length of 18 nucleotide units. Naturally occurring RNA species enhanced the nucleoside triphosphatase activity, provided they contained a poly(A) segment. Using poly(A)(+)mRNA, half-maximal stimulation was determined to proceed at 0.5 X 10(6) molecules/nuclear ghost. Removal of the poly(A) segment from mRNA mRNA abolished the stimulatory effect on the enzyme. Microtubule protein was found to inhibit the nucleoside triphosphatase efficiently. At a concentration of 2.0 mg/ml, polymerized microtubule protein reduced the enzyme activity by 96%. Dimeric tubulin was less inhibitory, while actin was without any significant effect. From these findings it is suggested that a possible nucleoside triphosphatase-mediated transport of poly(A)(+) mRNA through nuclear envelope is controlled firstly, by the poly(A) segment of this RNA species and secondly, by cytoplasmic microtubules.

Animals↗

Inhibition of nuclear envelope nucleoside triphosphatase-regulated nucleocytoplasmic messenger RNA translocation by 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine 5'-triphosphate in rodent cells.

Nucleocytoplasmic translocation of polyadenylated messenger RNA is an energy-dependent process which is regulated by a nuclear envelope nucleoside triphosphatase; this enzyme was found to be stimulated by the 3'-terminal polyadenylic acid [poly(A)] tail of messenger RNA (Bernd, A., Schröder, H. C., Zahn, R. K., and Müller, W. E. G. Eur. J. Biochem., 129: 43-49, 1982). RNA efflux from isolated mouse lymphoma (L5178Y) cell nuclei is strongly reduced if 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine 5'-triphosphate (ara-ATP) is present in the transport medium. Half-maximal inhibition of RNA efflux occurs with 120 microM ara-ATP. Most likely, the inhibitory effect of ara-ATP is caused by inhibition of nuclear envelope nucleoside triphosphatase; this enzyme was found to be highly sensitive to inhibition by this antibiotic. The inhibition type of the nucleoside triphosphatase of rat liver nuclear ghosts is competitive with respect to ATP; the Ki:Km ratio was determined to be 0.27. Besides nucleoside triphosphatase, nuclear envelopes contain a protein phosphokinase modulating the affinity of pore complex laminae to poly(A). This enzyme was also found to be strongly inhibited by ara-ATP in a competitive way with respect to ATP (Ki:Km, 0.056) and could therefore also contribute to the overall inhibition of RNA transport. The polyadenylation of endogenous RNA by poly(A) polymerase(s) in intact rat liver nuclei as well as in nuclear matrices isolated from the same source was found to be markedly suppressed in the presence of ara-ATP. The inhibitions of both poly(A) polymerase activities (contained in whole nuclei or nuclear matrix bound) are of the competitive type with respect to ATP. In in vitro assays, nuclear envelope nucleoside triphosphatase is inhibited by microtubule protein. Of the 2 ATP-dependent enzyme activities associated with microtubule protein (cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase and adenosine triphosphatase), only the kinase was slightly affected by ara-ATP. Cellular uptake of adenosine 5'-monophosphate and perhaps 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine 5'-monophosphate (ara-AMP) is facilitated by a cellular membrane-bound 5'-nucleotidase. Our studies revealed that neither cleavage of ara-AMP nor inhibition of the enzyme activity by ara-AMP occurs. 9-beta-D-Arabinofuranosyladenine and ara-AMP represent neither direct mutagens nor premutagens as determined by the Salmonella-mammalian microsome mutagenicity test.

Animals↗

Identification of the erythrocyte nucleoside transporter as a band 4.5 polypeptide. Photoaffinity labeling studies using nitrobenzylthioinosine.

Nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR) was employed as a covalent probe of the erythrocyte nucleoside transporter. This nucleoside analogue, a potent inhibitor of nucleoside transport, binds tightly (KD = 10(-10) - 10(-9) M) but reversibly to specific sites on the carrier mechanism. High intensity UV irradiation of intact human erythrocytes, isolated "ghosts," and "protein-depleted" membranes in the presence of [3H]NBMPR and dithiothreitol (as a free radical scavenger) under nonequilibrium and equilibrium binding conditions resulted in selective covalent incorporation of 3H into the band 4.5 region of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels (Mr = 45,000-65,000). Covalent labeling of band 4.5 protein(s) under equilibrium binding conditions was inhibited by nitrobenzylthioguanosine, dipyridamole, uridine, and adenosine. A similar photolabeling pattern was observed using membranes from pig erythrocytes. In contrast, no incorporation of radioactivity into band 4.5 was observed under equilibrium binding conditions with membranes from nucleoside-impermeable sheep erythrocytes. These experiments suggest that the human and pig erythrocyte nucleoside transporters are band 4.5 polypeptides, a conclusion supported by previous isolation studies based on the assay of reversible [3H]NBMPR binding activity.

Affinity Labels↗

Expression of the choroid plexus sodium-nucleoside cotransporter (N3) in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

In this study, we determined the expression of the Na(+)-nucleoside cotransporter (N3) in Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with poly(A)+ RNA isolated from rabbit choroid plexus. The Na(+)-dependent thymidine uptake in poly(A)+ RNA-injected oocytes (maximum 4-5 days after injection) increased proportionally with the injected dose of poly(A)+ RNA. Uptake was enhanced 4- to 5-fold in oocytes injected with 40 ng poly (A)+ RNA in comparison to water-injected oocytes. Consistent with the N3 Na(+)-nucleoside cotransporter, Na(+)-dependent thymidine uptake in poly(A)+ RNA-injected oocytes was inhibited significantly by both purine and pyrimidine nucleosides, but not by dideoxycytidine, a nucleoside analog modified on the ribose ring. These data suggest for the first time that the N3 Na(+)-nucleoside cotransporter in rabbit choroid plexus can be expressed in X. laevis oocytes.

Animals↗

The effect of N-ethylmaleimide on the Na(+)-dependent nucleoside transporter (N3) in rabbit choroid plexus.

The effect of the irreversible sulfhydryl-modifying agent, N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), on the transport of purine and pyrimidine nucleosides in choroid plexus was examined. [3H]thymidine and [3H]guanosine were used as model compounds to determine the effect of NEM on the Na(+)-dependent nucleoside transporter (N3) in rabbit choroid plexus tissue slices that were ATP-depleted with 2,4 dinitrophenol. Thymidine uptake in choroid plexus tissue slices preincubated with NEM was irreversibly inhibited in a concentration- (IC50 = 0.18 mM) and time-dependent fashion. NEM treatment also reduced the Na(+)-dependent uptake of other purine and pyrimidine nucleosides to a similar extent. In addition, an amine-selective modifying reagent, phenylisothiocyanate, had no effect on Na(+)-dependent thymidine uptake. Treatment of choroid plexus tissue slices with other sulfhydryl-modifying agents, including 4,4-dithiodipyridine, a reagent specific for cysteine residues, reduced the Na(+)-dependent uptake of thymidine. Preincubation of choroid plexus slices with NEM (2.5 mM) increased the Km of guanosine (control 64.5 +/- 5.7 microM; treated 120 +/- 23 microM) whereas the Vmax was unaffected (control 4.7 +/- 1 nmol/g/sec; treated 4.03 +/- 0.26 nmol/g/sec). These data suggest that covalent modification of sulfhydryl groups reduces the Na(+)-dependent uptake of nucleosides in choroid plexus slices by decreasing the affinity of nucleosides for the transporter.

Animals↗

Specific transcriptional inhibition of bone marrow-derived macrophage tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene expression and protein production using novel enantiomeric carbocyclic nucleoside analogues.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a powerful macrophage-derived proinflammatory cytokine, via both direct effects on host tissues as well as indirectly through the induction of other proinflammatory mediators, including interleukin- (IL) 1 beta and IL-6. Activation of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM phi) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) causes rapid expression of TNF-alpha, which as an autocrine factor enhances BMDM phi function through IL-1 beta and IL-6 production. In this study, we have examined the specific transcriptional inhibition of BMDM phi TNF-alpha using novel enantiomeric carbocyclic nucleoside analogues. BMDM phi were derived in vitro from murine bone marrow progenitors using colony stimulating factor-1 and treated with combinations of LPS (1-100 nG/ml) and the enantiomeric carbocyclic nucleoside (10-100 microM) analogues MDL 201, 112 (9-[(1S,3R)-cis-cyclopentan-3-ol]adenine); MDL 201,451 (9-[1R,3S)-cis-cyclopentan-3-ol]adenine); MDL 201,449 (9-[(1R,3R)-trans-cyclopentan-3-ol]adenine) and MDL 201,484 (9-[(1S,3S)-trans-cyclopentan-3-ol]adenine). Northern blot analysis showed that MDL 201,449 was the most effective agent in vitro at selectively inhibiting TNF-alpha. MDL 201,449 reduced TNF-alpha mRNA levels by nearly 50% for up to 4 hr after the simultaneous addition of LPS and the synthetic agent. In contrast, mRNA and secreted protein levels for IL-1 beta (measured by the D10.S bioassay) and mRNA for TNF-alpha receptor p60 and TNF-alpha receptor p80 were not significantly affected. Carbocyclic nucleoside analogues were effective when added to BMDM phi up-to 2 hr after LPS treatment and at concentrations as low as 10 microM. Regulation of BMDM phi IL-6 by carbocyclic nucleoside analogues in response to LPS appears to be both concentration and time dependent, because IL-6 mRNA and secreted protein levels were inhibited at only high drug concentrations (100 microM) and effective only at longer exposure times (+4 hr of incubation) to LPS. These data support the concept that M phi-derived proinflammatory cytokine gene expression is differentially, rather than coordinately, regulated by selective signal transduction and/or molecular pathways. Enantiomeric carbocyclic nucleoside analogues that specifically inhibit TNF-alpha may have therapeutic potential in inflammatory diseases, such as systemic inflammatory response syndrome, where TNF-alpha has been shown to have an important role in initiating the early stages of disease.

Adenine↗