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Investigation of the active site and the conformational stability of nucleoside diphosphate kinase by site-directed mutagenesis.

Nucleoside-diphosphate kinase (EC 2.7.4.6) catalyzes phosphate exchange between nucleoside triphosphates and nucleoside diphosphates. Its 17 kDa subunits are highly conserved throughout evolution in both sequence and tertiary structure. Using site-directed mutagenesis we investigated the function of 8 amino acids (Lys16, Tyr56, Arg92, Thr98, Arg109, Asn119, Ser124, and Glu133) that are totally conserved among all nucleoside diphosphate kinases known to date. The mutant proteins all show decreased specific activity and support roles for these residues in catalysis, substrate binding, or both, as was previously proposed on the basis of the x-ray structure (Moréra, S., Lascu, I., Dumas, C., LeBras, G., Briozzo, P., Véron, M., and Janin, J. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 459-467). Furthermore, residues Lys16, Arg109, and Asn 119 were identified to play important roles in conformational stability or subunit interactions. We show that Lys16 and Asn119 form a rigid structure that is important for enzymatic function and that Arg109, known to interact with the phosphate moiety of the substrate, also plays an important role in subunit association. The dual roles of Lys16, Arg109, and Asn119 in both substrate binding and subunit assembly provide further evidence for a functional coupling between catalytic activity and quaternary structure in nucleoside diphosphate kinase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Synthesis of nucleosides of 5,7-disubstituted pyrido [2,3-d] pyrimidines and their antibacterial activity.

Synthesis of 4-amino-5,7-diphenyl-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrido[2,3-d] pyrimidin-2-ones nucleoside, 4-amino-5,7-disubstituted-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl) pyrido [2,3-d] pyrimidin-2-thiones nucleosides, 2-thioxo-3,5,7-triphenyl-1- (beta-D-ribofuranosyl) pyrido [2,3-d] pyrimidin-4 (3H) ones nucleoside and 3,5,7-triphenyl-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl) pyrido [2,3-d] pyrimidin-2,4 (3H) diones nucleoside have been reported. The elemental analyses, IR and 1H NMR spectral data confirm the structure of the compounds. The synthesized nucleosides have been tested for antibacterial activity and found to be more active than the pyrido [2,3-d] pyrimidines.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Nucleoside-nucleotide mixture and its components and response to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in mice.

The effects of a nucleoside-nucleotide mixture and its individual components on response to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain 8985N were studied in mice. BALB/c mice were fed a nucleic-acid-free 20% casein diet and intraperitoneally administered a nucleoside-nucleotide mixture, its individual components (inosine, GMP2Na, uridine, thymidine, cytidine), or saline for 30 days. On the 10th day of this treatment, the mice were inoculated intravenously with the viable MRSA organisms. By the 20th day after inoculation, mice in the saline group showed 33% survival, whereas mice in the nucleoside-nucleotide mixture group showed 75% survival. The survival rates in the inosine (62%), GMP2Na (57%), uridine (54%), cytidine (50%), and thymidine (46%) groups were not significantly different. The survival rates of the individual-component groups tended to be higher than that of the saline group, but this was not statistically different. Furthermore, there was a greater reduction in viable organism recovery in the spleen and kidney of the surviving mice in the component groups than in the saline group. However, the survival rates in the individual-component groups did not exceed that of the nucleoside-nucleotide mixture group. This study suggests that intraperitoneal administration of a nucleoside-nucleotide mixture appears to be important in producing a high survival rate after challenge with MRSA. The effect cannot be achieved with the specific components of the mixture administered individually.

Animals↗

Electrochemical reduction products of azido nucleosides, including zidovudine (AZT): mechanisms and relevance to their intracellular metabolism.

Previous studies on electrochemical reduction of the HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitor, 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (Zidovudine, AZT) and several of its analogues, have been extended to 2'-AZdT and two of the intracellular metabolites of AZT, the 5'-O-glucuronide (GAZT) and the 5'-phosphate (AZTMP). Also investigated were azido nucleosides with aglycons susceptible to electrochemical reduction, cytosine and adenine. The surface activities of these compounds at the mercury electrode were examined. In all instances, reduction of the azido group was a two-electron process, with conversion to an amino group. For an azido adenine nucleoside, it proved possible to reduce the azido group without affecting the aglycon. Electrochemical reduction is shown to provide a simple one-step synthesis of amino nucleosides from the available azido nucleosides. The reduced compounds, several hitherto unknown, are useful reference standards for following intracellular metabolism of azido nucleosides, and may also prove of interest as new potential antimetabolites.

Antiviral Agents↗

Effects of iodotubercidin on adenosine kinase activity and nucleoside transport in DDT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cells.

Iodotubercidin is an adenosine kinase inhibitor that through its ability to increase levels of endogenous adenosine can enhance adenosine's receptor-mediated effects. We investigated whether iodotubercidin can inhibit [3H]adenosine accumulation by inhibiting transport processes in addition to inhibition of intracellular trapping of labeled adenine nucleotides. Under conditions in which extensive metabolism of intracellular adenosine was present, [3H]adenosine accumulation by DDT1 MF-2 cells was almost completely inhibited by iodotubercidin and the adenosine deaminase inhibitor erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)-adenine or by the nucleoside transport inhibitor nitrobenzylthioinosine. By using similar conditions, [3H]adenosine accumulation was significantly greater in Na+ buffer than in buffer containing N-methyl-D-glucamine in place of Na+; however, this effect may be explained by an observed 40% inhibition of adenosine kinase activity by N-methyl-D-glucamine. By using uptake intervals of 14 sec to represent the transport component of uptake, iodotubercidin decreased the affinity for adenosine, by about 3-fold, but had no effect on maximum velocity of transport. That these effects of iodotubercidin were due to direct interactions with nucleoside transporters was supported by findings that iodotubercidin inhibited [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine binding to nucleoside transporters with a Ki value of 4 microM and inhibited [3H]uridine and [3H]formycin B uptake with IC50 values of 7 and 15 microM, respectively. These data suggest that iodotubercidin, at pharmacologically relevant concentrations, inhibits nucleoside transport independently of its well characterized inhibition of adenosine kinase and that N-methyl-D-glucamine must be used with caution in experiments to determine the possible presence of Na+ gradient-dependent concentrative nucleoside transporters.

Adenosine Kinase↗

Purine-specific nucleoside N-ribohydrolase from Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Purification, specificity, and kinetic mechanism.

Trypanosomes have no de novo purine biosynthesis and thus depend upon salvage pathways to obtain purines for their metabolic pathways and for the biosynthesis of nucleic acids. An inosine-adenosine-guanosine preferring nucleoside hydrolase (IAG-nucleoside hydrolase) from the African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei brucei represents approximately 0.2% of the soluble protein in this organism. The enzyme has been purified over 400-fold to >95% homogeneity from the bloodstream form of this parasite. IAG-nucleoside hydrolase is a dimer of Mr 36,000 subunits. The kcat/Km for inosine, adenosine, and guanosine are 1.9 x 10(6), 1.2 x 10(6), and 0.83 x 10(6) M -1 s-1, respectively. The kinetic mechanism with inosine as substrate is rapid equilibrium with random product release. The turnover rate for inosine at 30 degrees C is 34 s-1. Pyrimidine nucleosides are poor substrates with kcat/Km values of approximately 10(3) M -1 s-1. Deoxynucleosides are also poor substrates with kcat/Km values near 10(2) M -1 s-1. AMP is not a detectable substrate and there is no measurable purine nucleoside phosphorylase activity. 3-Deazaadenosine, 7-deazaadenosine (tubercidin), and formycin B are competitive inhibitors with Kis of 1.8, 59, and 13 microM, respectively. The Km shows a slight dependence on pH with a pH optimum around 7. The Vmax/Km data indicate there are two ionizable enzymatic groups, pKa 8.6, required for the formation of the Michaelis complex. The Vmax data indicate three ionizable groups involved in catalysis. Two essential groups exhibit pKa values of 8.8, and a third group with a pKa of 6.5 increases the Vmax an additional 10-fold. All three groups must be protonated for optimum catalytic activity.

Animals↗

[Some properties of cytoplasmic thymidine kinase and nucleoside phosphotransferase from rat liver].

The activities of two deoxythymidine-phosphorylating enzymes--thymidine kinase and nucleoside phosphotransferase--were found in the cytoplasmic fraction of normal and regenerating rat liver. The specific activity of nucleoside phosphotransferase appeared to be by 50% higher than that of thymidine kinase. Nucleoside phosphotransferase has a broad specificity for the phosphate donor. This enzyme is more stable to heating and prolonged dialysis as compared to thymidine kinase. The enzymes respond differently to the addition of d-TTP, d-CTP and sturins A and B: thymidine kinase is strongly inhibited by these agents whereas nucleoside phosphotransferase is insensitive to d-TTP and d-CTP and is only slightly inhibited by sturins. On the other hand the activity of nucleoside phosphotransferase is considerably decreased after addition of ATP. Changes in the activities of both enzymes during 50 hrs following partial hepatectomy were studied. Two activity maxima were observed at 20-22 and 40-46 hrs of regeneration. Using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, three isoforms of both enzymes were found. The ratio between the isoenzyme content of the two enzymes from the cytoplasmic fraction of regenerating liver varied as compared to normal.

Animals↗

Effects of nucleoside transport inhibitors and adenine/ribose supply on ATP concentration and adenosine production in cardiac myocytes.

Adenosine plays an important role in protection of the heart before, during and after ischemia. Nucleoside transport inhibitors (NTI) increase adenosine concentration without inducing ischemia by preventing its uptake and metabolism in cardiac cells. However, prolonged effects of nucleoside transport inhibitors on adenosine and nucleotide metabolism and its combined effect with nucleotide precursors has not been established in cardiomyocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two nucleoside transport inhibitors, dipyridamole (DIPY) and nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBTI) alone or combined with adenine and ribose on adenosine production and ATP content in cardiomyocytes. Rat cardiomyocytes were isolated using collagenase perfusion technique. Isolated cell suspensions were incubated for up to 480 min with different substrates and inhibitors as follows: (1) control; (2) 100 microM adenine and 2.5 mM ribose; (3) 10 microM DIPY; (4) 1 microM NBTI; (5) DIPY, adenine and ribose and (6) NBTI, adenine and ribose. Five microM EHNA (erythro-9(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine, an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase) was added to all incubations. After incubation, extracts of myocyte suspension were analysed by HPLC for adenine nucleotides and metabolite concentrations. ATP content decreased in cardiomyocytes after 8 h of incubation with DIPY, while no change was observed with NBTI or without inhibitors. Adenosine concentration increased with both DIPY and NBTI. In the presence of adenine and ribose an elevation in ATP concentration was observed, but no significant change in adenosine content. In the presence of DIPY or NBTI together with adenine and ribose, an enhancement in cardiomyocyte ATP concentration was observed together with an increase in adenosine content. This increase in adenosine production was especially prominent with DIPY. In conclusion, dipyridamole causes a decrease in ATP concentration in isolated cardiomyocytes by mechanisms other than nucleoside transport inhibition. Addition of adenine/ribose with dipyridamole prevents the depletion of ATP. Combination of adenine/ribose with nucleoside transport inhibitors may also further enhance adenosine concentration and thus, could be more effective as pharmacological agents for treatment.

Adenine↗

Interaction of 2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine (gemcitabine) and formycin B with the Na+-dependent and -independent nucleoside transporters of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

The uptake of [3H]formycin B by Ehrlich ascites tumor cells was examined in both normal Na+ buffer (physiological) and nominally Na+-free buffer (iso-osmotic replacement with Li+). These studies were conducted to further characterize the equilibrative nucleoside transporter subtypes of Ehrlich cells and to assess the contribution of Na+-dependent concentrative transport mechanisms to the cellular accumulation of nucleoside analogues by these cells. Formycin B is poorly metabolized by mammalian cells and, hence, can be used as a substrate to measure transport kinetics in energetically competent cells. Initial studies established that formycin B inhibited [3H]uridine uptake by the ei (equilibrative inhibitor-insensitive) and es (equilibrative inhibitor-sensitive) transporters of Ehrlich cells with Ki values of 48 +/- 28 and 277 +/- 25 microM, respectively. Similarly, [3H]formycin B had Km values of 111 +/- 52 and 635 +/- 147 microM for uptake by the ei and es transporters, respectively. When assays were conducted in the presence of Na+, plus 100 nM nitrobenzylthioinosine to prevent efflux via the es transporters, the intracellular concentration of [3H]formycin B exceeded the initial medium concentration by more than 3-fold, indicating the activity of a Na+-dependent transporter. Interestingly, the initial rate of uptake of [3H]formycin B was significantly higher in the Li+ buffer (es-mediated Vmax = 65 +/- 10 pmol/microliter . sec) than in the Na+ buffer (Vmax = 8.4 +/- 0.9 pmol/microliter . sec); this may reflect trans-acceleration of [3H]formycin B uptake by elevated intracellular adenosine levels resulting from the low Na+ environment. This model was then used to assess the interaction of gemcitabine (2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine) with the equilibrative and concentrative nucleoside transporters. Gemcitabine, which has shown considerable potential for the treatment of solid tumors, was a relatively poor inhibitor of [3H]formycin B uptake via the equilibrative transporters (IC50 approximately 400 microM). In contrast, gemcitabine was a potent inhibitor of the Na+-dependent nucleoside transporter of Ehrlich cells (IC50 = 17 +/- 5 nM). These results suggest that the cellular expression/activity of Na+-dependent nucleoside transporters may be an important determinant in gemcitabine cytotoxicity and clinical efficacy.

Animals↗

Nitric oxide regulates nucleoside transport in activated B lymphocytes.

Activation of human B lymphocytes by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) results in the differential regulation of nucleoside uptake [Soler, C., Felipe, A., Mata, J. F., Casado, F. J., Celada, A., Pastor-Anglada, M. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 26939-26945]. Because nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the modulation of the apoptotic response of B cells, the effects of NO on the regulatory responses of these transport systems to phorbol esters has been studied in Raji cells by a combination of approaches that involve arginine depletion, inhibition of nitric oxide synthase, and non-enzymatic production of NO using a donor. Human B lymphocytes express three transport systems involved in nucleoside uptake: N1 and N5, which are concentrative and Na+-dependent, and the nitrobenzylthioinosine-sensitive equilibrative system es. Raji cells do not express significant amounts of iNOS mRNA or protein; thus, NO production is presumably constitutive. The data are consistent with a role of NO in maintaining the basal transport activities of the three systems: N1, N5, and es. However, the up-regulatory effect of PMA on N1 and N5 does not require NO, whereas the inhibition of es transport activity does. In summary, NO differentially modulates nucleoside transport systems in activated human B lymphocytes and thus, NO may also be involved in the regulation of nucleoside (i.e., adenosine) disposal by activated B cells.

Arginine↗

Characterization of nucleoside uptake and transport in Entamoeba histolytica.

The uptake and transportation of purine and pyrimidine based nucleosides by trophozoites of axenically grown Entamoeba histolytica (HMI-IMSS) were studied. The trophozoites transported adenosine and its analog tubercidin (1 microM) at a significant rate but poor transportation was observed in case of uridine (about 10% relative rate), inosine (3%), thymidine (2%) and formycin B (1%). The Km for adenosine was 160 +/- 42 microM. Unlabeled nucleosides (100 microM) inhibited adenosine and tubercidin transport. Adenosine related compounds 5'-deoxyadenosine and nebularin inhibited adenosine and tubercidine transport by 50% or more. However, inosine related compounds guanosine, 3'-deoxyinosine and formycin B were less inhibitory. The pyrimidine nucleosides uridine, thymidine and cytidine were poorly inhibitory. 6-[(4 nitrobenzyl)-mercapto] purine ribonucleoside, an inhibitor of mammalian nucleoside transporter, inhibited adenosine or tubercidin transport in E. histolytica variably between 0-30% at 10 microM, but dilazep, a known inhibitor, was inactive upto 10 microM. Increase in temperature from 22 degrees C to 33 degrees C enhanced the rate of transport of adenosine 4.5 fold, tubercidin 7.3 fold and of inosine 4 fold. These findings along with the structure activity figures suggested that transport was mediated and not passive.

Animals↗

Nucleoside transport in human colonic epithelial cell lines: evidence for two Na+-independent transport systems in T84 and Caco-2 cells.

RT-PCR of RNA isolated from monolayers of the human colonic epithelial cell lines T84 and Caco-2 demonstrated the presence of mRNA for the two cloned Na+-independent equilibrative nucleoside transporters, ENT1 and ENT2, but not for the cloned Na+-dependent concentrative nucleoside transporters, CNT1 and CNT2. Uptake of [3H]uridine by cell monolayers in balanced Na+-containing and Na+-free media confirmed the presence of only Na+-independent nucleoside transport mechanisms. This uptake was decreased by 70-75% in the presence of 1 microM nitrobenzylthioinosine, a concentration that completely inhibits ENT1, and was completely blocked by the addition of 10 microM dipyridamole, a concentration that inhibits both ENT1 and ENT2. These findings indicate the presence in T84 and Caco-2 cells of two functional Na+-independent equilibrative nucleoside transporters, ENT1 and ENT2.

Caco-2 Cells↗

Synthesis and biological evaluation of certain C-4 substituted pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine nucleosides.

A series of C-4 substituted pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine nucleosides have been synthesized and evaluated for their biological activity. Successful synthesis of various C-4 substituted pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine nucleosides involves nucleophilic displacement by a suitable nucleophile at the C-4 position of 4-chloro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine (5), followed by glycosylation of the sodium salt of the C-4 substituted pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines with a protected alpha-halopentofuranose. Use of this methodology furnished a simple and direct route to the beta-D-ribofuranosyl, beta-D-arabinofuranosyl, and 2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl nucleosides of C-4 substituted pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines, wherein the C-4 substituent was azido, amino, methoxy, chloro, or oxo. The regiospecificity of these glycosylations was determined on the basis of UV data and the anomeric configuration was established by 1H NMR analysis. Conclusive structural assignment was made by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of three compounds, 15, 31, and 42, as representatives of ribo-2'-deoxy-, and aranucleosides, respectively. The stereospecific attachment of all three alpha-halogenoses appears to occur by a Walden inversion (SN2 mechanism) at the C-1 carbon of the halogenose by the anionic N-1 of pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine. All deprotected nucleosides were tested against various viruses and tumor cells in culture. The effects of these compounds on de novo purine and pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis was also evaluated. Among the compounds tested, 4-chloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine (16) and 1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-4,7-dihydro-4-oxopyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine (19) were found to be moderately cytotoxic to L1210 and WI-L2 in culture.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Molecular cloning and characterization of a nitrobenzylthioinosine-insensitive (ei) equilibrative nucleoside transporter from human placenta.

Mammalian equilibrative nucleoside transporters are typically divided into two classes, es and ei, based on their sensitivity or resistance respectively to inhibition by nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR). Previously, we have reported the isolation of a cDNA clone encoding a prototypic es-type transporter, hENT1 (human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1), from human placenta. We now report the molecular cloning and functional expression in Xenopus oocytes of a cDNA from the same tissue encoding a homologous ei-type transporter, which we designate hENT2. This 456-residue protein is 46% identical in amino acid sequence with hENT1 and corresponds to a full-length form of the delayed-early proliferative response gene product HNP36, a protein of unknown function previously cloned in a form bearing a sequence deletion. In addition to placenta, hENT2 is found in brain, heart and ovarian tissue. Like hENT1, hENT2 mediates saturable transport of the pyrimidine nucleoside uridine (Km 0.2+/-0.03 mM) and also transports the purine nucleoside adenosine. However, in contrast with hENT1, which is potently inhibited by NBMPR (Ki 2 nM), hENT2 is NBMPR-insensitive (IC50<1 microM). It is also much less sensitive to inhibition by the coronary vasoactive drugs dipyridamole and dilazep and to the lidoflazine analogue draflazine, properties that closely resemble those reported for classical ei-type transport in studies with intact cells.

Adenosine↗

Functional redundancy of two nucleoside transporters of the ENT family (CeENT1, CeENT2) required for development of Caenorhabditis elegans.

The genome of Caenorhabditis elegans encodes multiple homologues of the two major families of mammalian equilibrative and concentrative nucleoside transporters. As part of a programme aimed at understanding the biological rationale underlying the multiplicity of eukaryote nucleoside transporters, we have now demonstrated that the nematode genes ZK809.4 (ent-1) and K09A9.3 (ent-2) encode equilibrative transporters, which we designate CeENT1 and CeENT2 respectively. These transporters resemble their human counterparts hENT1 and hENT2 in exhibiting similar broad permeant specificities for nucleosides, while differing in their permeant selectivities for nucleobases. They are insensitive to the classic inhibitors of mammalian nucleoside transport, nitrobenzylthioinosine, dilazep and draflazine, but are inhibited by the vasoactive drug dipyridamole. Use of green fluorescent protein reporter constructs indicated that the transporters are present in a limited number of locations in the adult, including intestine and pharynx. Their potential roles in these tissues were explored by using RNA interference to disrupt gene expression. Although disruption of ent-1 or ent-2 expression alone had no effect, simultaneous disruption of both genes yielded pronounced developmental defects involving the intestine and vulva.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Synthesis and biological activity of 2'-deoxy-4'-thio-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine nucleosides.

The coupling of 4-aminopyrazolo [3, 4-d]pyrimidine with the appropriate thio sugar gave a 3:1 ratio of alpha,beta blocked 4-amino-1-(2-deoxy-4-thio-D-erythropentofuranosyl)-1H pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine nucleosides. The mixture was deblocked, both the anomers were separated, and the beta-anomer was readily deaminated by adenosine deaminase. The nucleosides have been characterized, and their anomeric configurations have been determined by proton NMR. All three nucleosides were evaluated against a panel of human tumor cell lines for cytotoxicity in vitro. The details of a convenient and high yielding synthesis of these nucleosides are described.

Adenosine↗

Functionalization of pyrimidine and purine nucleosides at C4 and C6: C-nucleophilic substitution of their C4- and C6-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) derivatives.

A study of C-nucleophilic substitution at the C4-position on pyrimidine and C6-position on 2'-deoxyguanosine to produce novel nucleosides is presented with the spectroscopic properties of their respective substitution products. C4-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) pyrimidine nucleosides 1 were treated with nitroalkanes, malononitrile, acetylacetone, ethyl nitroacetate, acetoacetate and cyanoacetate at 100 degrees C in dioxane in the presence of DBU resulting in the production of novel nucleosides 2-11. To explore the application of this methodology to purine chemistry, this approach was used to produce novel analogs from 2'-deoxyguanosine. We found that the triazolo derivative 12 undergoes C-nucleophilic substitution with nitromethane, malononitrile, acetylacetone, ethyl nitroacetate and cyanoacetate in the presence of potassium carbonate (K2CO3) in DMF at 100 degrees C to give novel nucleosides 13-17.

Acetates↗

Macrophages require different nucleoside transport systems for proliferation and activation.

To evaluate the mechanisms involved in macrophage proliferation and activation, we studied the regulation of the nucleoside transport systems. In murine bone marrow-derived macrophages, the nucleosides required for DNA and RNA synthesis are recruited from the extracellular medium. M-CSF induced macrophage proliferation and DNA and RNA synthesis, whereas interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) led to activation, blocked proliferation, and induced only RNA synthesis. Macrophages express at least the concentrative systems N1 and N2 (CNT2 and CNT1 genes, respectively) and the equilibrative systems es and ei (ENT1 and ENT2 genes, respectively). Incubation with M-CSF only up-regulated the equilibrative system es. Inhibition of this transport system blocked M-CSF-dependent proliferation. Treatment with IFN-gamma only induced the concentrative N1 and N2 systems. IFN-gamma also down-regulated the increased expression of the es equilibrative system induced by M-CSF. Thus, macrophage proliferation and activation require selective regulation of nucleoside transporters and may respond to specific requirements for DNA and RNA synthesis. This report also shows that the nucleoside transporters are critical for macrophage proliferation and activation.

Animals↗