Identification of the ornithine decarboxylase gene in the putrescine-producerOenococcus oeniBIFI-83

We report here the identification of an ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene in the putrescine-producer Oenococcus oeni BIFI-83 strain. The gene contains a 2,235-nucleotide open reading frame encoding a 745-amino acid residues protein with a deduced molecular mass of 81 kDa. The primary structure of the ODC deduced from the nucleotide sequence has a consensus sequence containing the pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP) binding domain, and the critical amino acids residues involved in enzymatic activity are also conserved. As determined by BLAST analysis, the deduced amino acid sequence of the odc gene shares a 67% identity with the ODC protein from Lactobacillus 30a. The odc gene appears to be rarely present in the genome of O. oeni, since in a screening for the presence of this gene in 42 oenococcal strains none of the strains possessed an odc gene copy.

Lupeol modulates NF-kappaB and PI3K/Akt pathways and inhibits skin cancer in CD-1 mice

Chemoprevention has become an effective cancer control modality; however, the search for novel agent(s) for the armamentarium of cancer chemoprevention continues. We argue that agents capable for inhibition of promotion stage of tumorigenesis with the ability to intervene at several critical pathways in the tumorigenesis process will have greater advantage over other single-target agents. Lupeol, a triterpene, is the principal constituent of common fruit plants such as olive, mango, fig and medicinal herbs that have been used to treat skin aliments. Lupeol has been reported to possess a wide range of medicinal properties that include strong antioxidant, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effects. In the present study, we show that Lupeol possesses antitumor-promoting effects in a mouse skin tumorigenesis model. We first determined the effect of topical application of Lupeol to CD-1 mouse against 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced conventional markers and other novel markers of skin tumor promotion. We found that topical application of Lupeol (1-2 mg/mouse) 30 min prior to TPA (3.2 nmol/mouse) application onto the skin of CD-1 mice afforded significant inhibition, in a time- and dose-dependent manner, against TPA-mediated increase in (i) skin edema and hyperplasia, (ii) epidermal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, and (iii) protein expression of ODC, cyclo-oxygenase-2 and nitric oxide synthase. As of the role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) and phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling in tumor promotion, we next determined the effect of topical application of Lupeol to mouse skin against these signaling pathways. We found that Lupeol treatment to mouse skin resulted in the inhibition of TPA-induced (i) activation of PI3K, (ii) phosphorylation of Akt at Thr(308), (iii) activation of NF-kappaB and IKKalpha, and (iv) degradation and phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha. The animals pretreated with Lupeol showed significantly reduced tumor incidence, lower tumor body burden and a significant delay in the latency period for tumor appearance. At the termination of the experiment at 28 weeks, 100% of the animals in TPA-treated group exhibited seven to eight tumors/mouse, whereas only 53% of the mice receiving Lupeol prior to TPA treatment exhibited one to three tumors/mouse. These results for the first time provide evidence that Lupeol possesses antiskin tumor-promoting effects in CD-1 mouse and inhibits conventional as well as novel biomarkers of tumor promotion. We suggest that Lupeol is an attractive antitumor-promoting agent that must be evaluated in tumor models other than skin carcinogenesis.

Inhibitors of polyamine metabolism: review article

The identification of increased polyamine concentrations in a variety of diseases from cancer and psoriasis to parasitic infections has led to the hypothesis that manipulation of polyamine metabolism is a realistic target for therapeutic or preventative intervention in the treatment of certain diseases. The early development of polyamine biosynthetic single enzyme inhibitors such as alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) showed some interesting early promise as anticancer drugs, but ultimately failed in vivo. Despite this, DFMO is currently in use as an effective anti-parasitic agent and has recently also been shown to have further potential as a chemopreventative agent in colorectal cancer. The initial promise in vitro led to the development and testing of other potential inhibitors of the pathway namely the polyamine analogues. The analogues have met with greater success than the single enzyme inhibitors possibly due to their multiple targets. These include down regulation of polyamine biosynthesis through inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and decreased polyamine uptake. This coupled with increased activity of the catabolic enzymes, polyamine oxidase and spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase, and increased polyamine export has made the analogues more effective in depleting polyamine pools. Recently, the identification of a new oxidase (PAO-h1/SMO) in polyamine catabolism and evidence of induction of both PAO and PAO-h1/SMO in response to polyamine analogue treatment, suggests the analogues may become an important part of future chemotherapeutic and/or chemopreventative regimens.

Irreversible ototoxicity associated with difluoromethylornithine

Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) is a potent, irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of polyamines that promote cellular proliferation. DFMO has been tested as a potential cancer therapeutic and chemopreventive agent in clinical trials. Reversible hearing loss is a recognized toxicity of DFMO that usually occurs at doses above 2 g/m(2)/d, and generally when the cumulative dose exceeds 250 g/m(2). In a recently completed Barrett's esophagus chemoprevention trial, a participant developed a 15-dB decrease in hearing at frequencies of 250, 2,000, and 3,000 Hz in the right ear and a > or =20-dB decrease in hearing at 4,000 to 6,000 Hz in the left ear after taking 0.5 g/m(2)/d DFMO for approximately 13 weeks (cumulative dose of 45 g/m(2)). The threshold shifts persisted 7 months after DFMO was discontinued. There was no obvious impact on the participant's clinical hearing, but these findings were consistent with irreversible hearing loss. This is the first case reported of irreversible ototoxicity in a clinical trial participant receiving DFMO and, thus, trial participants should be made aware of this small but important risk.

Metabolic and antiproliferative consequences of activated polyamine catabolism in LNCaP prostate carcinoma cells

Depletion of intracellular polyamine pools invariably inhibits cell growth. Although this is usually accomplished by inhibiting polyamine biosynthesis, we reasoned that this might be more effectively achieved by activation of polyamine catabolism at the level of spermidine/spermine N(1)-acetyltransferase (SSAT); a strategy first validated in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells. We now examine the possibility that, due to unique aspects of polyamine homeostasis in the prostate gland, tumor cells derived from it may be particularly sensitive to activated polyamine catabolism. Thus, SSAT was conditionally overexpressed in LNCaP prostate carcinoma cells via a tetracycline-regulatable (Tet-off) system. Tetracycline removal resulted in a rapid approximately 10-fold increase in SSAT mRNA and an increase of approximately 20-fold in enzyme activity. SSAT products N(1)-acetylspermidine, N(1)-acetylspermine, and N(1),N(12)-diacetylspermine accumulated intracellularly and extracellularly. SSAT induction also led to a growth inhibition that was not accompanied by polyamine pool depletion as it was in MCF-7 cells. Rather, intracellular spermidine and spermine pools were maintained at or above control levels by a robust compensatory increase in ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activities. This, in turn, gave rise to a high rate of metabolic flux through both the biosynthetic and catabolic arms of polyamine metabolism. Treatment with the biosynthesis inhibitor alpha-difluoromethylornithine during tetracycline removal interrupted flux and prevented growth inhibition. Thus, flux-induced growth inhibition appears to derive from overaccumulation of metabolic products and/or from depletion of metabolic precursors. Metabolic effects that were not excluded as possible contributing factors include high levels of putrescine and acetylated polyamines, a 50% reduction in S-adenosylmethionine, and a 45% decline in the SSAT cofactor acetyl-CoA. Overall, the study demonstrates that activation of polyamine catabolism in LNCaP cells elicits a compensatory increase in polyamine biosynthesis and downstream metabolic events that culminate in growth inhibition.

Effect of green tea extract on the induction of ornithine decarboxylase and the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in bladder carcinoma ECV304 cells

According to several studies, green tea and individual catechins can inhibit the induction of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of polyamines. It has been suggested that the inhibition of ODC induction may offer an explanation to the anticancer and chemopreventive activities of green tea. In the present study, however, treatment of bladder carcinoma ECV304 cells with green tea extract (GTE) was not able to reduce the induction of ODC by fetal calf serum. Actually, in the absence of serum, GTE provoked a dose-dependent and remarkable induction of ODC activity. The induction of ODC, which could be elicited also by (-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate, a major green tea component, required an early activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK), and both events appeared to be dependent on an alteration of the status of cellular thiol groups. Pretreatment with specific ERK or ODC inhibitors was able to prevent a late caspase activation but hardly affected the loss of cell viability provoked by GTE. In conclusion, to our knowledge, this is the first study showing that GTE can promote ODC induction in a tumor cell line.

Specificity of DNA methylation changes during fungal dimorphism and its relationship to polyamines

We utilized our modification of the amplified fragment length polymorphism technique for the determination of changes occurring in the DNA methylation patterns during the dimorphic transition of the fungi Mucor rouxii, Yarrowia lipolytica, and Ustilago maydis. To determine the specificity of differential methylation in regards to dimorphism, we obtained the yeast-like form of the three fungi under conditions that induced mycelial growth, by addition of 1,4-diaminobutanone (DAB), an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase in the case of M. rouxii and Y. lipolytica. In an odc null mutant of U. maydis, repression of the dimorphic transition was brought about by limitation in the amounts of exogenous putrescine. Yeasts from the three fungi thus obtained conserved a significant number of the differential DNA fragments with the methylation pattern displayed by normal yeasts, indicating their true correlation with dimorphism. Our results also confirm a role of polyamines in differential DNA methylation and fungal dimorphic transition.

Mechanisms of diethylstilbestrol-induced relaxation in rat aorta smooth muscle

The mechanisms of diethylstilbestrol (1 to 30 microM)-induced relaxation on noradrenaline (30 nM)-raised tone in the rat aorta smooth muscle were studied. Neither the increase of calcium content in the medium (3, 6 and 9 mM) nor Bay K 8644 (3, 10 and 100 nM) reversed diethylstilbestrol relaxation. Tamoxifen (3 microM), the quaternary derivate (tamoxifen ethyl bromide, 3 microM), actinomycin D (30 microM), cycloheximide (100 microM), Rp-cAMPS (30 microM), TPCK (1 microM) and difluoromethylornithine (1 mM) inhibited diethylstilbestrol-induced relaxation. Incubation with 2 microg/ml pertussis toxin, propranolol (1 microM), H-7 (10 microM), 2',3'- and 2',5'-dideoxiadenosine (10 and 30 microM, respectively) and methylene blue (10 microM) did not modify diethylstilbestrol-induced relaxation. Our results showed that presumably an activation of membrane mechanisms, protein kinase A activation, genomic mechanisms and polyamine synthesis might participate in diethylstilbestrol-elicited relaxation in addition to the increase in K(ATP) permeability, as previously described. Actinomycin D produces a synergistic effect, with tamoxifen, difluoromethylornithine and glibenclamide antagonizing the effect of diethylstilbestrol. In the case of the association of actinomycin D and glibenclamide, the antagonism of relaxation is complete. The fact that tamoxifen- and difluoromethylornithine-dependent mechanisms participate in diethylstilbestrol relaxation inhibited by glibenclamide suggests that two transduction pathways are involved in the relaxation. Therefore, K(ATP) channels and genomic mechanisms, both modulated by cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent mechanisms, are associated with diethylstilbestrol relaxation.

Ornithine decarboxylase is a target for chemoprevention of basal and squamous cell carcinomas in Ptch1+/- mice

Solar ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation induces cutaneous ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the first enzyme in the polyamine-biosynthesis pathway, which drives continued proliferation and clonal expansion of initiated (mutated) cells, leading to tumorigenesis. Therefore ODC is a potentially important target for chemoprevention of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), the majority of which have mutations in the tumor-suppressor gene known as patched (PTCH). To assess this possibility, we first overexpressed ODC in the skin of Ptch1+/- mice using a keratin 6 (K6) promoter that directs constitutive ODC expression in the outer root sheath of the hair follicle. UVB irradiation of these mice accelerated induction of BCCs as compared with their Ptch1+/- littermates. To further verify the role of ODC in BCC tumorigenesis, we used an antizyme (AZ) approach to inhibit ODC activity in the Ptch1+/- mice. Ptch1+/- mice with AZ overexpression driven by the K6 promoter were resistant to the induction of BCCs by UVB. Furthermore, oral administration of the suicidal ODC inhibitor alpha-difluoromethylornithine reduced UVB-induced BCCs in Ptch1+/- mice. These results demonstrate the crucial importance of ODC for the induction of BCCs and indicate that chemopreventive strategies directed at inhibiting this enzyme may be useful in reducing BCCs in human populations.

The chemopreventive agent alpha-difluoromethylornithine blocks Ki-ras-dependent tumor formation and specific gene expression in Caco-2 cells

Mutation of the Kirsten-ras (Ki-ras) proto-oncogene occurs frequently in colorectal cancers. alpha-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible inhibitor of the polyamine biosynthetic enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), inhibits Ki-ras transformation and colon tumorigenesis in carcinogen-treated animal models by mechanisms yet to be elucidated. Caco-2 cells transfected with an activated Ki-ras, but not parental cells, formed tumors in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. DFMO treatment (2% in drinking water) prevented tumor growth. Gene expression profiling was performed to identify Ki-ras-and DFMO-dependent patterns of gene expression. Microarray results were validated with real-time or semi-quantitative RT-PCR and/or Western blot analysis. Genes upregulated in Caco-2 cells expressing an activated Ki-ras encoded cytoskeletal-, transport-, protease-, and gap junction-associated proteins. These genes are important for normal development and maintenance of colonic epithelial tissue. Caco-2 cells transfected with an activated Ki-ras displayed increased expression of the integrin alpha 1 (INGA1) and enhanced cell migration on laminin. These parameters were unaffected by DFMO, but Ki-ras-dependent migration was inhibited by INGA1 antibodies. Other Ki-ras-dependent, but DFMO-independent, genes included transglutaminase (TGase) and kallikrein 6 (KLK6). Ki-ras-transfected cells also expressed increased levels of connexin43 (Cx43) (RNA and protein), tight junction protein, and endothelin 1. DFMO reversed these increases. The results indicated that the Ki-ras oncogene caused changes in experimental cell migration and cell-cell communication genes and that some of these changes could be reversed by DFMO.

Arginine stimulates intestinal cell migration through a focal adhesion kinase dependent mechanism

BACKGROUND

L-Arginine is a nutritional supplement that may be useful for promoting intestinal repair. Arginine is metabolised by the oxidative deiminase pathway to form nitric oxide (NO) and by the arginase pathway to yield ornithine and polyamines.

AIMS

To determine if arginine stimulates restitution via activation of NO synthesis and/or polyamine synthesis.

METHODS

We determined the effects of arginine on cultured intestinal cell migration, NO production, polyamine levels, and activation of focal adhesion kinase, a key mediator of cell migration.

RESULTS

Arginine increased the rate of cell migration in a dose dependent biphasic manner, and was additive with bovine serum concentrate (BSC). Arginine and an NO donor activated focal adhesion kinase (a tyrosine kinase which localises to cell matrix contacts and mediates beta1 integrin signalling) after wounding. Arginine stimulated cell migration was dependent on focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signalling, as demonstrated using adenovirus mediated transfection with a kinase negative mutant of FAK. Arginine stimulated migration was dependent on NO production and was blocked by NO synthase inhibitors. Arginine dependent migration required synthesis of polyamines but elevating extracellular arginine concentration above 0.4 mM did not enhance cellular polyamine levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These results showed that L-arginine stimulates cell migration through NO and FAK dependent pathways and that combination therapy with arginine and BSC may enhance intestinal restitution via separate and convergent pathways.

Inhibitory effects of phaseolotoxin on proliferation of leukemia cells HL-60, K-562 and L1210 and pancreatic cells RIN-m5F

Phaseolotoxin (PT) is a non-host specific phytotoxin produced by the plant pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae (P.s.) pv. phaseolicola. In the present study, the inhibitory effect of PT on the proliferation of leukemia cells was studied. After 4 days of treatment, PT decreased cell growth of leukemia cell lines HL-60, K-562 and L1210 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, PT also reduced cell growth of the insulinoma pancreatic cell line RIN-m5F. IC50 values were 2.1 +/- 1.0 microM (HL-60), 13.3 +/- 3.7 microM (K-562), 2.5 +/- 0.4 microM (L1210) and 5.5 +/- 0.3 microM (RIN-m5F). Although the exact mechanism by which PT inhibits cell growth in these cells is currently not known, we present first evidence that PT may in part be active via inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Based on our findings, PT presents a lead compound with potential for further development into a new anti-cancer agent.

Inhibition of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced tumor promotion markers in CD-1 mouse skin by oleandrin

Oleandrin, derived from the leaves of Nerium oleander, has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and tumor cell growth-inhibitory effects. Here, we provide evidence that oleandrin could possess anti-tumor promoting effects. We determined the effect of topical application of oleandrin to CD-1 mice against l2-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a widely studied skin tumor promoter, -induced conventional and novel markers of skin tumor promotion. Topical application of oleandrin (2 mg per mouse) 30 min before TPA (3.2 nmol per mouse) application onto the skin afforded significant inhibition, in a time-dependent manner, against TPA-mediated increase in cutaneous edema and hyperplasia, epidermal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and ODC and cyclooxgenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression. In search for novel markers of skin tumor promotion, we found that TPA application to mouse skin resulted, as an early event, in an increased expression of phosphatidyinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylation of Akt at threonine308 and activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB). Topical application of oleandrin before TPA application to mouse skin resulted in significant reduction in TPA-induced expression of PI3K and phosphorylation of Akt, and inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. NF-kappaB is a eukaryotic transcription factor that is critically involved in regulating the expression of specific genes that participate in inflammation, apoptosis and cell proliferation. Employing Western blot analysis, we found that oleandrin application to mouse skin resulted in inhibition of TPA-induced activation of NF-kappaB, IKKalpha and phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaBalpha. Our data suggest that oleandrin could be a useful anti-tumor promoting agent because it inhibits several biomarkers of TPA-induced tumor promotion in an in vivo animal model. One might envision the use of chemopreventive agents such as oleandrin in an emollient or patch for chemoprevention or treatment of skin cancer.

Antizyme frameshifting as a functional probe of eukaryotic translational termination

Translation termination in eukaryotes is mediated by the release factors eRF1 and eRF3, but mechanisms of the interplay between these factors are not fully understood, due partly to the difficulty of measuring termination on eukaryotic mRNAs. Here, we describe an in vitro system for the assay of termination using competition with programmed frameshifting at the recoding signal of mammalian antizyme. The efficiency of antizyme frameshifting in rabbit reticulocyte lysates was reduced by addition of recombinant rabbit eRF1 and eRF3 in a synergistic manner. Addition of suppressor tRNA to this assay system revealed competition with a third event, stop codon readthrough. Using these assays, we demonstrated that an eRF3 mutation at the GTPase domain repressed termination in a dominant negative fashion probably by binding to eRF1. The effect of the release factors and the suppressor tRNA showed that the stop codon at the antizyme frameshift site is relatively inefficient compared to either the natural termination signals at the end of protein coding sequences or the readthrough signal from a plant virus. The system affords a convenient assay for release factor activity and has provided some novel views of the mechanism of antizyme frameshifting.

Inhibition of cytochrome P450 isozymes and ornithine decarboxylase activities by polysaccharides from soybeans fermented with Phellinus igniarius or Agrocybe cylindracea

Polysaccharides (5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 microg ml(-1)) from soybeans and soybeans fermented with Phellinus igniarius or Agrocybe cylindracea inhibited cytochrome P450 1A1, cytochrome P450 1A2 and cytochrome P450 2B1 activities in rat liver microsomes. The polysaccharides (5, 10 and 25 microg ml(-1)) also suppressed 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced ornithine decarboxylase activity. The most potent inhibitors of cytochrome P450 isozymes and ornithine decarboxylase activities were the polysaccharides from soybeans fermented with Agrocybe cylindracea.

Nitroglycerin, a nitric oxide generator attenuates ferric nitrilotriacetate-induced renal oxidative stress, hyperproliferative response and necrosis in ddY mice

Nitric oxide (NO) is a short lived, readily diffusible intracellular messenger molecule associated with multiple organ-specific regulatory functions. In this communication, we elucidate the effect of exogenous NO administration, using nitroglycerin (GTN), on ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA)-induced renal oxidative stress, hyperproliferative response and necrosis in ddY mice. Fe-NTA is a known complete renal carcinogen as well as renal and hepatic tumor promoter, which act by generating oxidative stress in the tissues. GTN treatment to ddY mice prior to Fe-NTA administration resulted in a highly significant protection against Fe-NTA-induced renal oxidative stress, hyperproliferative response and necrosis. In oxidative stress protection studies, the decrease in the level of renal glutathione and antioxidant enzyme activities induced by Fe-NTA were significantly reversed by GTN pretreatment in a dose-dependent manner (12-46% recovery, P<0.05-0.001). GTN pretreatment also resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition (24-39% inhibition, P<0.05-0.001) of Fe-NTA-induced lipid peroxidation as measured by TBARS formation in renal tissues. Similarly, in hyperproliferation protection studies, GTN pretreatment showed a strong inhibition of Fe-NTA-induced renal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity (51-57% inhibition, P<0.001) and [3H]thymidine incorporation (43-58% inhibition, P<0.001) into renal DNA. GTN pretreatment almost completely prevented kidney biomolecules from oxidative damage and protected the tissue against the observed histopathological alterations. From this data, it can be concluded that exogenously produced NO from GTN might scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreases toxic metabolites of Fe-NTA and thereby inhibiting renal oxidative stress. In addition, exogenously produced NO can also inhibit Fe-NTA-induced hyperproliferative response by down-regulating the activity of ODC and the rate of [3H]thymidine incorporation into renal DNA and could be suggested as another possible clinical application for this NO-donor (GTN, traditionally used as a vasodilator) in oncological medicine.

Suppressive effects of Active Hexose Correlated Compound on the increased activity of hepatic and renal ornithine decarboxylase induced by oxidative stress

Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC), an extract derived from fungi of Basidiomycetes family has been shown to act as a biological response modifier in various disorders. In our present study, ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA), which generates hydroxyl radicals in vivo, was given intraperitoneally to rats and AHCC was tested for its ability to suppress oxidative stress and the activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in the liver and kidney. Substantial increments in glutathione-related enzymes including glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase activity as well as oxidized glutathione contents were shown in the liver at 12 h after treatment with Fe-NTA (7.5 mg Fe/kg body weight). Effects of oxidative stress induced by Fe-NTA were also demonstrated by the increase in serum lipid peroxidation, aminotransferases and urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. However, the increases in these parameters were restored to normal in AHCC-pretreated rats. The ODC activity in the liver and kidney was significantly increased by Fe-NTA, while the increased ODC activity induced by Fe-NTA was normalized in AHCC-pretreated rats. These results suggest AHCC acts as a potent antioxidant and protects against disorders induced by oxidative stresses.

Identification of nuclear export signals in antizyme-1

Antizyme-1 (AZ1) is a protein that negatively regulates polyamine synthesis by inhibiting the key synthetic enzyme ornithine decarboxylase and targeting it for degradation by the 26 S proteasome. Recent work shows that antizyme protein translocates to the nucleus during mouse development (Gritli-Linde, A., Nilssom, J., Bohlooly, Y. M., Heby, O., and Linde, A. (2001) Dev. Dyn. 220, 259-275). However, the significance and mechanism of this phenomenon remain unclear. In this study, we expressed AZ1 fused with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) to study its localization in a living cell. We found that EGFP-AZ1 was predominantly localized in the cytoplasm and that treatment with leptomycin B, a specific inhibitor of chromosomal region maintenance 1 (CRM1) induced nuclear accumulation of EGFP-AZ1 in Chinese hamster ovary and NIH3T3 cells. Two independent nuclear export signal (NES) sequences, each containing essential hydrophobic residues, were identified in the 50 N-terminal amino acid residues and in the central part of AZ1. The activity of the second NES was inhibited by an N-terminal adjacent region and was only revealed in N-terminal truncated constructs. Both NESs were active when fused to an artificial nuclear protein SV40-NLS-EGFP-EGFP. The ability of AZ1 to shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm suggests that it has a novel function in the nucleus.

Hexachlorobenzene-Induced Early Changes in Ornithine Decarboxylase and Protein Tyrosine Kinase Activities, Polyamines and c-Myc, c-Fos and c-Jun Proto-Oncogenes in Rat Liver

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a lipophilic chemical compound that is widely distributed in the environment. HCB is known to cause liver tumors in experimental animals. In the present study the in vivo effect of HCB treatment on ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activities, free polyamine content, and c-Myc, c-Fos, and c-Jun protein levels in rat liver were investigated. HCB (1000 mg/kg body weight) increased hepatic immunodetectable c-Myc, c-Fos, and c-Jun levels after 6 h, and ODC activity and spermine and putrescine content after 18 and 24 h, while maximum stimulation of PTK activity occurred at 12 h. PTK and ODC activities varied in a dose-dependent manner. The time-course of c-Myc, c-Fos, and c-Jun protein levels was different for each proto-oncogene. They were all elevated at the second day of treatment, while only c-Fos and c-Jun remained elevated after 10 days of HCB exposure. These data jointly suggest that the increase in ODC activity may be the consequence of proto-oncogene induction. The alterations in PTK activity suggest that the growth factor signal transduction pathway may be involved in the regulation of the proto-oncogene levels or/and ODC activity. The decrease in PTK activity after the first day, even in the presence of alpha-D-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an inhibitor of ODC activity, suggests that it is not regulated by polyamines. These results may be relevant to the early molecular events involved in HCB tumor promoter activity in rat liver.

Mechanisms involved in calcitonin gene-related Peptide-induced relaxation in pregnant rat uterine artery

Human and rodent studies have demonstrated that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a potent vasodilator, relaxes uterine tissue during pregnancy but not during labor. The vascular sensitivity to CGRP is enhanced during pregnancy, compared to nonpregnant human uterine arteries. In the present study, we hypothesized that uterine artery relaxation effects of CGRP are enhanced in pregnant rats compared to nonpregnant diestrus rats (NP-DE) and that several secondary messenger systems are involved in this process. We also hypothesized that the expression of CGRP-A receptor components, calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR), receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP1), and CGRP-B receptors are greater in pregnant rats. For vascular relaxation studies, uterine arteries from either NP-DE or Day 18 pregnant rats were isolated, and responsiveness of the vessels to CGRP was examined with a small vessel myograph. CGRP-A and CGRP-B receptor expressions were assessed by RT-PCR and Western immunoblotting, respectively. CGRP (10(-10)--10(-7) M) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of norepinephrine-induced contractions in both NP-DE and Day 18 pregnant rat uterine arteries. Pregnancy increased the vasodilator sensitivity to CGRP significantly (P < 0.05) compared to NP-DE rats. CGRP receptor antagonist, CGRP8-37, inhibited CGRP-induced relaxation of pregnant uterine arteries. The CGRP-induced relaxation was not affected by NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (nitric oxide inhibitor, 10(-4) M) but was significantly (P < 0.05) attenuated by inhibitors of guanylate cyclase (ODQ, 10(-5) M) and adenylate cyclase (SQ 22536, 10(-5) M). CGRP-induced vasorelaxation was significantly (P < 0.05) attenuated by potassium channel blockers KATP (glybenclamide, 10(-5) M) and K(CA) (tetraethylammonium, 10(-3) M). The expression of CRLR and RAMP1 was significantly (P < 0.05) elevated during pregnancy compared to nonpregnant diestrus state (NP-DE). However, CGRP-B receptor proteins in uterine arteries were not altered with pregnancy compared to those of NP-DE. These studies suggest that CGRP-induced increases in uterine artery relaxation may play a role in regulating blood flow to the uterus during pregnancy and, therefore, in fetal growth and survival.

Resveratrol analog (Z)-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene is a potent anti-mitotic drug inhibiting tubulin polymerization

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) a natural polyphenol present in medicinal plants, grapes and wines, has potent chemopreventive properties on intestinal carcinogenesis. A methylated derivative (Z-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene: R3) was synthesized. R3 at 0.3 microM exerted a 80% growth inhibition of human colon cancer Caco-2 cells and arrested growth completely at 0.4 microM (R3 was 100-fold more active than resveratrol). The cis conformation of R3 was also 100-fold more potent than the trans isomer. R3 (0.3 microM) caused cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase transition. The drug inhibited tubulin polymerization in a dose-dependent manner (IC50=4 microM), and it reduced also by 2-fold ornithine decarboxylase and s-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activities. This caused the depletion of the polyamines, putrescine and spermidine, which are growth factors for cancer cells. R3 inhibited partially colchicine binding to its binding site on tubulin, indicating that R3 either partially overlaps with colchicine binding or that R3 binds to a specific site of tubulin that is not identical with the colchicine binding site modifying colchicine binding by allosteric influences. The resveratrol derivative (Z)-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene (R3) is an interesting anti-mitotic drug that exerts cytotoxic effects by depleting the intracellular pool of polyamines and by altering microtubule polymerization. Such a drug may be useful for the treatment of neoplastic diseases.

Inhibition of human ornithine decarboxylase activity by enantiomers of difluoromethylornithine

Racemic difluoromethylornithine (D/L-DFMO) is an inhibitor of ODC (ornithine decarboxylase), the first enzyme in eukaryotic polyamine biosynthesis. D/L-DFMO is an effective anti-parasitic agent and inhibitor of mammalian cell growth and development. Purified human ODC-catalysed ornithine decarboxylation is highly stereospecific. However, both DFMO enantiomers suppressed ODC activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. ODC activity failed to recover after treatment with either L- or D-DFMO and dialysis to remove free inhibitor. The inhibitor dissociation constant (K(D)) values for the formation of enzyme-inhibitor complexes were 28.3+/-3.4, 1.3+/-0.3 and 2.2+/-0.4 microM respectively for D-, L- and D/L-DFMO. The differences in these K(D) values were statistically significant ( P <0.05). The inhibitor inactivation constants (K(inact)) for the irreversible step were 0.25+/-0.03, 0.15+/-0.03 and 0.15+/-0.03 min(-1) respectively for D-, L- and D/L-DFMO. These latter values were not statistically significantly different ( P >0.1). D-DFMO was a more potent inhibitor (IC50 approximately 7.5 microM) when compared with D-ornithine (IC50 approximately 1.5 mM) of ODC-catalysed L-ornithine decarboxylation. Treatment of human colon tumour-derived HCT116 cells with either L- or D-DFMO decreased the cellular polyamine contents in a concentration-dependent manner. These results show that both enantiomers of DFMO irreversibly inactivate ODC and suggest that this inactivation occurs by a common mechanism. Both enantiomers form enzyme-inhibitor complexes with ODC, but the probability of formation of these complexes is 20 times greater for L-DFMO when compared with D-DFMO. The rate of the irreversible reaction in ODC inactivation is similar for the L- and D-enantiomer. This unexpected similarity between DFMO enantiomers, in contrast with the high degree of stereospecificity of the substrate ornithine, appears to be due to the alpha-substituent of the inhibitor. The D-enantiomer may have advantages, such as decreased normal tissue toxicity, over L- or D/L-DFMO in some clinical applications.

RhoA stimulates IEC-6 cell proliferation by increasing polyamine-dependent Cdk2 activity

Although RhoA plays an important role in cell proliferation and in Ras transformation in fibroblasts and mammary epithelial cells, its role in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) is unknown. In a previous study (Ray RM, Zimmerman BJ, McCormack SA, Patel TB, and Johnson LR. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 276: C684-C691, 1999), we showed that polyamine depletion [dl-alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) treatment] strongly inhibits the proliferation of IEC. In this report, we examined the effect of RhoA on IEC-6 cell proliferation and whether polyamine depletion inhibits cell proliferation in the presence of constitutively active RhoA. Constitutively active RhoA and vector-transfected IEC-6 cell lines were grown in the presence or absence of DFMO, which causes polyamine depletion by inhibiting ornithine decarboxylase, the first rate-limiting step in polyamine synthesis. Constitutively active RhoA significantly increased the rate of cell proliferation. These cells also lost contact inhibition and formed conspicuous foci when they were fully confluent. Decreased p21Waf1/Cip1 expression and increased cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk2) mRNA levels and activity accompanied the increased proliferation. The inhibition of p21Waf1/Cip1 was independent of p53. There was no activation of the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK pathway in the RhoA-transfected cell line. Polyamine depletion totally prevented the effect of activated RhoA on IEC-6 cell proliferation, focus formation, and Cdk2 expression. The stability of mRNA and protein for Cdk2 and p21Waf1/Cip1 in V14-RhoA cells was not significantly different from that of vector-transfected cells. In conclusion, RhoA activation decreased p21Waf1/Cip1 expression and increased basal and serum-induced ornithine decarboxylase activity, Cdk2 expression, Cdk2 protein, and Cdk2 activity, leading to the stimulation of IEC proliferation and transformation. Polyamine depletion totally prevented RhoA's effect on proliferation by decreasing Cdk2 expression and activity.

Thirty Years of Polyamine-Related Approaches to Cancer Therapy. Retrospect and Prospect. Part 1. Selective Enzyme Inhibitors

As soon as the natural polyamines (PAs), putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm), were recognized as ubiquitous constituents of eukaryotic cells, their involvement in growth-related processes attracted particular interest. The high activities of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC) in rapidly growing tissues and cells, particularly in tumour cells, suggested PA biosynthesis as a target for antineoplastic therapy. In the course of the years selective inhibitors have been developed for literally all enzymes of PA metabolism. Some became important as tools in the elucidation of the PA metabolic system, but only few of them were efficient as inhibitors of tumour growth. A major reason for the inefficacy of selective enzyme inhibitors as anticancer drugs is the sophistication of the system, which regulates intracellular PA pools. Selective blockade of a single enzyme induces changes of metabolism and transport, which compensate for the deficit. The selective impairment of tumour growth is in addition hampered by the ubiquitous occurrence of the PAs, their importance in normal functions of nearly all mammalian cells, and the ability or the mammalian organism to utilize exogenous (gastrointestinal) PAs. Among the inhibitors of PA-related enzymes, the ODC inactivator (R, S)-2-(difluoromethyl)ornithine (DFMO) became most famous. Although it was disappointing in most therapeutic attempts to use it as single drug, it has--based on its low toxicity--considerable potential in cancer chemoprevention, and it turned out to be a highly efficient anti-trypanosome agent. Very likely DFMO is suitable to improve the efficacy of some of the current cytotoxic drugs, and it may allow one to create new therapies in combination with other PA-directed drugs. Some of the less selective enzyme inhibitors, particularly those, which inhibit two or more enzymes of PA metabolism, appear to have had a chance to become practically useful, but they have not been developed energetically. Disregarding DFMO, the AdoMetDC inhibitor SAM486A is the only compound for which clinical trials were published. The future of this drug is unclear at present; presumably phase III clinical trials have been discontinued. One of the lessons that had to be learned from the work on selective enzyme inhibitors was that PA metabolism is a much more difficult target, than has been expected on the basis of the simplicity of the PA structures, and the simple reactions involved in their biosynthesis. In order to inhibit tumour growth several reactions or regulatory functions of PA metabolism have to be impaired at the same time. Recent efforts devoted to the development new types of anticancer drugs, which are based on the perturbation of PA metabolism by structural analogues of the natural PAs, take this message into account. These approaches are the topic of the 2nd part of this overview.

5-(2-Ethyl-phenyl)-3-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-[1,2,4]triazole (DL-111-IT) and related compounds induce apoptotic patterns in cultures of human tumor cell lines

5-(2-Ethyl-phenyl)-3-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-[1,2,4]triazole (DL-111-IT) and related compounds were extensively studied as anti-gestational agents and some of these molecules were also described as inhibitors of ornithine decarboxylase. Polyamine depletion has been frequently related to the induction of apoptosis and consequently we investigated DL-111-IT and analogs for this effect in myeloid (HL60), neuroblastic (SK-N-MC) and epithelial (BeWo) human tumor cell lines, by means of electron microscopy and DNA electrophoresis. HL60 and SK-N-MC appeared notably sensitive to apoptosis, whereas BeWo responsiveness was variable and frequently associated with necrosis. Our results indicate that the contragestational effect of DL-111-IT and analogs is associated with apoptotic deletion of chorionic tissue and that these molecules, due to their effect on human tumor cell lines, can be considered as antiblastic lead compounds.

Antimalarial effect of agmatine on Plasmodium berghei K173 strain

AIM

To study the antimalarial effect of agmatine (Agm) on chloroquine-susceptible Plasmodium berghei K173 strain (S strain) and the P berghei K173 resistant strain (R strain).

METHODS

The antimalarial effects of Agm on P berghei K173 S strain and R strain were evaluated by Peters 4-d suppression test in mice.

RESULTS

Agm (12.5-200 mg/kg, ig, daily) decreased the parasitemia for both P berghei K173 S strain (IC(50)=139 mg/kg) and R strain (IC(50)=126 mg/kg) in mice. Subcutaneous injection (sc) of Agm (5-40 mg/kg, tid) showed relatively stronger antimalarial effect than intragastric gavage (IC(50)=30 mg/kg ) in P berghei K173 S strain. Spermidine antagonized the antimalarial effect of Agm for P berghei K173 S strain and R strain. Agm did not reverse the chloroquine resistance of P berghei K173 S strain. dl-alpha-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO, sc) decreased the parasitemia of P Berghei K173 S strain and this effect was antagonized by spermidine.

CONCLUSION

Agm has an antimalarial effect and the mechanism is related to its inhibition of polyamine synthesis.

Lytic infection of pseudorabies virus in the presence of spermine, spermidine, or DFMO

The effects of polyamines (spermine or spermidine) and DFMO (an ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor) on the infection of LM (tk-) cells by pseudorabies virus (PRV) were investigated. Results from radioactive methionine labeling showed that the synthesis of viral proteins was not affected; however, the expression of a distinctive cellular protein ( approximately 27 kDa) was induced after the treatment of spermine or spermidine. Using plaque assay, we found that the plaque formation of PRV was not affected by these three reagents either. Furthermore, the effects of these drugs on the transcription of PRV immediate-early gene (IE) promoter were examined by CAT assay, and results showed weak stimulation of transcription by these drugs. Taken together, our results demonstrated that lytic infection of PRV was not influenced by addition of exogenous polyamines or depletion of endogenous polyamines; this conclusion was similar to earlier studies by using herpes simplex virus.

Effects of alpha-difluoromethylornithine on local recurrence and pulmonary metastasis from MDA-MB-435 breast cancer xenografts in nude mice

We have recently shown that administration of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the first and rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine (PA) biosynthesis reduces pulmonary metastasis from MDA-MB-435 breast cancer xenografts in nude mice. The present experiments were designed to further explore PA involvement in breast cancer metastasis, using GFP-tagged MDA-MB-435 cells that can be tracked at the single cell level. Administration of DFMO significantly reduced the number of mice with pulmonary metastasis as well as the number of metastases per mouse. Both single-cell and multicellular metastatic deposits were similarly suppressed, thus suggesting that DFMO was inhibiting lung colonization by tumor cells rather than preventing progression of single-cell deposits to overt metastasis. DFMO administration also significantly reduced local recurrences following removal of the primary tumor. Prolongation of DFMO treatment to 14 weeks did not yield a superior antimetastatic effect beyond that provided by a 10-week course of therapy. Discontinuation of DFMO, on the other hand, was associated with local regrowth of the tumors and, possibly, recurrence of pulmonary metastasis. These data provide a rationale for testing the efficacy of anti-PA treatment within the context of adjuvant therapy of breast cancer.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae: review and update on new treatment modalities

Pseudofolliculits barbae, PFB, is a common cutaneous disease encountered frequently in medical practice. PFB represents a chronic inflammatory condition of the hair follicle caused by ingrown hairs producing an inflammatory foreign body reaction. The pathogenesis of PFB is multifactorial. Factors such as hair type and direction of hair growth play a role in the initial inflammatory reaction. In the armed forces, PFB represents a real challenge for both the physician and the patient. The combat environment, with the recent threat of biological and chemical weapons, requires the servicemen to be clean-shaven for appropriate gas mask fitting around the face. This article will review the etiology, pathogenesis, classification, and newer treatment modalities in the management of PFB.

Inhibition of the development of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in protein kinase C epsilon transgenic mice by alpha-difluoromethylornithine accompanied by marked hair follicle degeneration and hair loss

The role of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated polyamine biosynthesis in the development of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (mSCC) in protein kinase C epsilon (PKC epsilon) transgenic mice was determined. TPA treatment induced epidermal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and putrescine levels approximately 3-4-fold more in PKC epsilon transgenic mice than their wild-type littermates. Development of mSCC by the 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (100 nmol)-TPA (5 nmol) protocol in PKC epsilon transgenic mice was completely prevented by administration of the suicide inhibitor of ODC alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO, 0.5% w/v) in the drinking water during TPA promotion. However, DFMO treatment led to marked hair loss in PKC epsilon transgenic mice. DFMO treatment-associated hair loss in PKC epsilon transgenic mice was accompanied by a decrease in the number of intact hair follicles. These results indicate that TPA-induced ODC activity and the resultant accumulation of putrescine in PKC epsilon transgenic mice are linked to growth and maintenance of hair follicles, and the development of mSCC. Severe hair loss observed in PKC epsilon transgenic mice on DFMO during skin tumor promotion has not been reported before in the prevention of cancer in other animal models or in human cancer prevention trials.

Polyamines in cultured rabbit corneal cells

PURPOSE

To determine whether polyamines are present in corneal cells, whether corneal cell polyamines can be depleted by blocking the first rate-limiting enzyme in the polyamine synthesis pathway, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), and whether polyamines are required for proliferation in all three corneal cell types.

METHODS

Cultured corneal epithelial cells, keratocytes, and endothelial cells were exposed to the specific ODC blocker difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), and ODC activity, intracellular polyamine concentrations, and cell proliferation were measured.

RESULTS

DFMO blocked ODC activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner in all three cell types. DFMO treatment completely depleted putrescine and spermidine by 2 days and also significantly depleted spermine. DFMO treatment also inhibited cell growth in all three cell types and this inhibition could be completely reversed by adding exogenous putrescine to the culture medium.

CONCLUSIONS

Polyamines are present in all cell types of the cornea, their formation is catalyzed at least in part by ODC, and they are an important component of corneal cell proliferation.

Inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis in Acanthamoeba castellanii and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced ornithine decarboxylase activity by chitosanoligosaccharide

Growth of Acanthamoeba castellanii was inhibited by chitosanoligosaccharide (up to 20 mg ml-1) from the shells of crabs but was reversed by the polyamines, putrescine or spermidine, at 0.8 mM. Chitosanoligosaccharide strongly inhibited the induction of ornithine decarboxylase by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, a key enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis, which is enhanced in tumour promotion.

Celecoxib and difluoromethylornithine in combination have strong therapeutic activity against UV-induced skin tumors in mice

The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor celecoxib and the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitor difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) were each previously shown to prevent skin tumor development when administered throughout the course of UV irradiation. This raised the question of whether maintenance or continued growth of existing tumors required prostaglandins, the product of COX, or polyamines, the product of ODC. To address this question, SKH hairless mice were irradiated 3 times/week with 90 mJ/cm(2); this dose was increased 10% weekly to a maximum of 175 mJ/cm(2). UV was stopped at 27 weeks, at which time there were an average of 5 papillomas/mouse. The mice were then placed in one of four treatment groups: group 1, no treatment; group 2, 0.4% DFMO in the drinking water; group 3, 500 p.p.m. celecoxib in the diet (AIN76); group 4, both DFMO and celecoxib. The control group continued to produce new tumors in a nearly linear manner such that by week 31 the tumor number had nearly doubled, i.e. approximately 10 tumors/mouse. The group receiving DFMO showed significant tumor regression, losing an average of 1 tumor/mouse/week, such that 50% of the tumors remained at week 31. The celecoxib group showed a 25% reduction in tumor number. The group receiving the combination of celecoxib and DFMO showed the greatest regression, with an 89% reduction in tumor number compared with the control group. There was also a corresponding reduction in the size of the tumors. To determine whether tumor regression was permanent or required continued treatment, all treatments were stopped at 31 weeks. Over the next 4 weeks, tumors reappeared at the same rate in all treatment groups. It is concluded that the combination of celecoxib and DFMO are potent therapeutic agents for skin cancer, although the benefits are lost with the cessation of treatment.

Decarboxylases involved in polyamine biosynthesis and their inactivation by nitric oxide

Polyamines are ubiquitous cellular components that are involved in normal and neoplastic growth. Polyamine biosynthesis is very highly regulated in mammalian cells by the activities of two key decarboxylases acting on ornithine and S-adenosylmethionine. Recent studies, which include crystallographic analysis of the recombinant human proteins, have provided a detailed knowledge of their structure and function. Ornithine decarboxylase is a PLP-requiring decarboxylase, whereas S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC) contains a covalently bound pyruvate prosthetic group. Both enzymes have a key cysteine residue, which is involved in protonation of the Schiff base intermediate C(alpha) to form the product. These residues, Cys360 in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and Cys82 in AdoMetDC, react readily with nitric oxide (NO), which is therefore a potent inactivator of polyamine synthesis. The inactivation of these enzymes may mediate some of the antiproliferative actions of NO.

Do altering in ornithine decarboxylase activity and gene expression contribute to antiproliferative properties of COX inhibitors?

Two isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX) participate in growth control; COX-1 is constitutively expressed in most cells, and COX-2 is an inducible enzyme in response to cellular stimuli. An induction of COX-2 found in neoplastic tissues results in increased cell growth, inhibition of apoptosis, activation of angiogenesis, and decreased immune responsiveness. Although both COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors are suppressors of cell proliferation and appear to be chemopreventive agents for tumorigenesis, the molecular mechanisms mediating antiproliferative effect of COX inhibitors are still not well defined. This study contrasts and compares the effects of aspirin and celecoxib, inhibitors of COX-1 and COX-2, in rat hepatoma HTC-IR cells. The following were assessed: cell proliferation and apoptosis, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, and pattern expression of three immediate-early genes, c-myc, Egr-1, and c-fos. We have shown that the treatment of hepatocytes in vitro with the selective COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, was associated with induction of apoptosis and complete inhibition of cellular proliferation. Aspirin exhibited a small antiproliferative effect that was not associated with apoptosis. Treatment with celecoxib produced dose- and time-dependent decrease in ODC activity. In addition, at higher drug concentration the decrease in ODC activity was greater in proliferating than in resting cells. Much lesser inhibitory effect on ODC activity was observed in aspirin-treated cells. The two COX inhibitors did not change c-myc expression, significantly decreased the expression of Egr-1, and differentially altered expression of c-fos; aspirin did not change, but celecoxib dramatically decreased the levels of c-fos-mRNA. Our study revealed that celecoxib and aspirin share the ability to inhibit ODC activity and alter the pattern of immediate-early gene expression. It seems that some of the observed effects are likely to be related to COX-independent pathways. The precise mechanisms of action of COX inhibitors should be defined before using these drugs for cancer chemopreventive therapy.

Polyamine biosynthetic enzymes as drug targets in parasitic protozoa

Molecular, biochemical and genetic characterization of ornithine decarboxylase, S -adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and spermidine synthase establishes that these polyamine-biosynthetic enzymes are essential for growth and survival of the agents that cause African sleeping sickness, Chagas' disease, leishmaniasis and malaria. These enzymes exhibit features that differ significantly between the parasites and the human host. Therefore it is conceivable that exploitation of such differences can lead to the design of new inhibitors that will selectively kill the parasites while exerting minimal, or at least tolerable, effects on the parasite-infected patient.

Inhibition of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced inflammatory skin edema and ornithine decarboxylase activity by theaflavin-3,3'-digallate in mouse

Among black tea polyphenols, theaflavins were generally considered to be the most effective in cancer chemoprevention. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of black tea polyphenols, including theaflavin (TF-1), a mixture (TF-2) of theaflavin-3-gallate and theaflavin-3'-gallate, theaflavin-3,3'-digallate (TF-3), and the green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced edema and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity. Topical application of these polyphenols onto the mouse resulted in inhibition of TPA-induced ear edema and skin epidermal ODC activity. The inhibitory order was as follows: TF-3 > TF-2 approximately equal to EGCG > TF-1. Western and Northern blots indicated that TF-3 significantly reduced the protein and mRNA levels of ODC in TPA-treated mouse skin and NIH 3T3 cells, whereas EGCG showed less activity. EGCG and TF-3 were able to inhibit the ODC enzyme activity in vitro. Furthermore, TF-3 also significantly reduced the basal promoter activity of the ODC gene in NIH 3T3 cells that were transiently transfected with ODC reporter plasmid. These results suggested that TF-3 was a potential inhibitor of ODC activity and TPA-induced edema and might be effective in cancer chemoprevention.

Growth-inhibitory effects of the chemopreventive agent indole-3-carbinol are increased in combination with the polyamine putrescine in the SW480 colon tumour cell line

BACKGROUND

Many tumours undergo disregulation of polyamine homeostasis and upregulation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, which can promote carcinogenesis. In animal models of colon carcinogenesis, inhibition of ODC activity by difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) has been shown to reduce the number and size of colon adenomas and carcinomas. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) has shown promising chemopreventive activity against a range of human tumour cell types, but little is known about the effect of this agent on colon cell lines. Here, we investigated whether inhibition of ODC by I3C could contribute to a chemopreventive effect in colon cell lines.

METHODS

Cell cycle progression and induction of apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry. Ornithine decarboxylase activity was determined by liberation of CO2 from 14C-labelled substrate, and polyamine levels were measured by HPLC.

RESULTS

I3C inhibited proliferation of the human colon tumour cell lines HT29 and SW480, and of the normal tissue-derived HCEC line, and at higher concentrations induced apoptosis in SW480 cells. The agent also caused a decrease in ODC activity in a dose-dependent manner. While administration of exogenous putrescine reversed the growth-inhibitory effect of DFMO, it did not reverse the growth-inhibition following an I3C treatment, and in the case of the SW480 cell line, the effect was actually enhanced. In this cell line, combination treatment caused a slight increase in the proportion of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, and increased the proportion of cells undergoing necrosis, but did not predispose cells to apoptosis. Indole-3-carbinol also caused an increase in intracellular spermine levels, which was not modulated by putrescine co-administration.

CONCLUSION

While indole-3-carbinol decreased ornithine decarboxylase activity in the colon cell lines, it appears unlikely that this constitutes a major mechanism by which the agent exerts its antiproliferative effect, although accumulation of spermine may cause cytotoxicity and contribute to cell death. The precise mechanism by which putrescine enhances the growth inhibitory effect of the agent remains to be elucidated, but does result in cells undergoing necrosis, possibly following accumulation in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle.

Polyamine metabolism is altered in unpollinated parthenocarpic pat-2 tomato ovaries

Facultative parthenocarpy induced by the recessive mutation pat-2 in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) depends on gibberellins (GAs) and is associated with changes in GA content in unpollinated ovaries. Polyamines (PAs) have also been proposed to play a role in early tomato fruit development. We therefore investigated whether PAs are able to induce parthenocarpy and whether the pat-2 mutation alters the content and metabolism of PAs in unpollinated ovaries. Application of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine to wild-type unpollinated tomato ovaries (cv Madrigal [MA/wt]) induced partial parthenocarpy. Parthenocarpic growth of MA/pat-2 (a parthenocarpic near-isogenic line to MA/wt) ovaries was negated by paclobutrazol (GA biosynthesis inhibitor), and this inhibition was counteracted by spermidine. Application of alpha-difluoromethyl-ornithine (-Orn) and/or alpha-difluoromethyl-arginine (-Arg), irreversible inhibitors of the putrescine biosynthesis enzymes Orn decarboxylase (ODC) and Arg decarboxylase, respectively, prevented growth of unpollinated MA/pat-2 ovaries. Alpha-difluoromethyl-Arg inhibition was counteracted by putrescine and GA(3), whereas that of alpha-difluoromethyl-Orn was counteracted by GA(3) but not by putrescine or spermidine. In unpollinated MA/pat-2 ovaries, the content of free spermine was significantly higher than in MA/wt ovaries. ODC activity was higher in pat-2 ovaries than in MA/wt. Transcript levels of genes encoding ODC and spermidine synthase were also higher in MA/pat-2. All together, these results strongly suggest that the parthenocarpic ability of pat-2 mutants depends on elevated PAs levels in unpollinated mutant ovaries, which correlate with an activation of the ODC pathway, probably as a consequence of elevated GA content in unpollinated pat-2 tomato ovaries.

Unsaturated fatty acids bind Myc-Max transcription factor and inhibit Myc-Max-DNA complex formation

Oncoprotein Myc, hetero-dimerized with Max through a b/HLH/Zip region, is a transcription factor that governs important cellular processes such as cell cycle entry, proliferation and differentiation. We found that linoleic acid, isolated from Pollen Typhae, and other unsaturated fatty acids have strong inhibitory effects on the binding of Myc-Max heterodimer to an E-box DNA site (CA(C/T)GTG). The interaction of a fatty acid with a protein dimer, not with DNA, is assumed to block the entire Myc-Max-DNA complex formation. Unsaturated fatty acids also showed cytotoxicity against a SNU16 human stomach cancer cell line and conjugated linoleic acid suppressed mRNA expression of several myc-target genes; ornithine decarboxylase, p53, cdc25a in the SNU16 cells.

Effect of spermine conjugation on the cytotoxicity and cellular transport of acridine

Polyamines are believed to be potent vectors for the selective delivery of chemotherapeutic agents into cancer cells. In this paper, we report the effect of spermine conjugation on the cytotoxic and transport properties of acridine. Six derivatives, composed of a spermine chain attached at its N(1) position to an acridine via an aliphatic chain, were synthesized. The aliphatic linker, comprised of 3-5 methylene units, was connected to the position-9 of the heterocycle through either an amide (amidoacridines 8-10) or an amine (aminoacridines 11-13) linkage. Independently of their architecture, all ligands showed a high affinity for DNA binding but a limited DNA sequence selectivity. In a whole cell assay with L1210 and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, the aminoacridines (IC(50) values around 2 microM) were more potent than the amidoacridines (IC(50) values between 20 and 40 microM). This was related to a less efficient transport for the latter. As determined from competitive uptake studies with [(14)C]spermidine, all conjugates had a high affinity for the polyamine transport system (PTS). However, on the basis of competitive studies with an excess of spermidine and on the differential effect on cell growth and accumulation in CHO and in the mutant PTS deficient CHO-MG cells, the accumulation of the conjugates through the PTS was found to be poor but still more efficient for the aminoacridines. alpha-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, which induces an up-regulation of the activity of the PTS, enhanced accumulation of all acridine conjugates through the PTS and had a synergistic effect on the potency of the acridine conjugates to inhibit cell growth. Despite their high affinity for the PTS, the low amount of derivatives transiting through the PTS is likely to be related to their ability to repress rapidly and efficiently the activity of the PTS and, consequently, to inhibit their own uptake via this system.

Polyamine involvement in breast cancer phenotype

In this review, we will summarize current evidence implicating the polyamine pathway in two critical aspects of breast cancer biology, e.g. mammary carcinogenesis and tumor progression. We believe that the findings reported here provide a strong rationale for further exploring the role of anti-polyamine therapy in the adjuvant setting and in breast cancer chemoprevention.

Modulation of ornithine decarboxylase activity and mitogen-activated protein kinases in protocatechualdehyde-induced apoptosis of CTLL-2 cells

Protocatechualdehyde (PA, a dihydroxybenzene derivative) has previously been shown to induce apoptotic cell death in cytotoxic T cells (CTLL-2). However, the molecular mechanisms by which PA regulates apoptosis are still unclear. In this study, the possible roles of ornithine decarboxylase activity (ODC) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the PA-induced apoptosis process were further investigated. We demonstrated that PA inhibited ODC activity induced by IL2 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the expression of ODC mRNA stimulated by IL2 was also effectively suppressed. 0.12 mM PA inhibited the activation of ERK1/2 induced by IL2 and enhanced the activation of JNK, which was abrogated by IL2. No alteration in the effect of p38 MAPK on the apoptosis process was observed in the CTLL-2 cells. PD98059 (a specific ERK1/2 inhibitor) inhibited cell growth, led to cell apoptotic death and effectively decreased ODC activity and suppressed ERK1/2 activation induced by IL2. These data indicate that PA induced apoptosis in CTLL-2 cells by two mechanisms; either via inhibiting ODC induction or interfering with MAPK signaling pathways.

Regulation of ornithine decarboxylase by antizymes and antizyme inhibitor in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Mammalian polyamine synthesis is regulated by a unique feedback mechanism. When cellular polyamine levels increase, antizyme, an ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitory protein, is induced by polyamine-dependent translational frameshifting. Antizyme not only inhibits ODC, a key enzyme in polyamine synthesis, it also targets the enzyme degradation by the 26S proteasome. Furthermore, it suppresses cellular uptake of polyamines. Previously, we isolated two zebrafish antizymes with different expressions and activities. This suggested that a common feedback mechanism of polyamine metabolism might operate in mammals and zebrafish (Danio rerio). In the present study, cDNAs of zebrafish ODC and antizyme inhibitor, another regulatory protein that inhibits antizyme action, were cloned. The presence of ODC and antizyme inhibitor mRNAs was confirmed by Northern blotting in embryos and adult fish, as well as in a zebrafish-derived cell line (BRF41). The activity of the ODC cDNA expression product was inhibited by short and long zebrafish antizymes, and recombinant zebrafish antizyme inhibitor reversed this inhibition. In the BRF41 cells, the ODC half-life was considerably longer than that of mammalian ODC but shorter than that of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Spermidine elicited a rapid decay of ODC activity and ODC protein in a protein synthesis-dependent manner.

Inhibition of enzymes of polyamine biosynthesis by substrate-like O-substituted hydroxylamines

The biogenic amines spermine, spermidine, and putrescine are essential factors of cell growth and differentiation. To inhibit pyridoxal-5'-phosphate dependent ornithine decarboxylase and pyruvate dependent S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, key enzymes of polyamine biosynthesis, a system of substrate-like O-substituted hydroxylamines is suggested. The best of these compounds were active at nanomolar concentrations. High potency and specificity of this type of inhibitors are discussed in terms of structural similarity of E-I and E-S complexes.

Ornithine decarboxylase encoded by chlorella virus PBCV-1

Sequence analysis of the 330-kb genome of chlorella virus PBCV-1 revealed an open reading frame, A207R, which encodes a protein with 37-41% amino acid identity to ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) from many eukaryotic organisms. The a207r gene was cloned and the protein was expressed as a His-A207R fusion protein in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein catalyzes pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent decarboxylation of ornithine to putrescine, the first step in the polyamine biosynthetic pathway. The enzyme has a pH optimum of 9.0 and a temperature optimum of 42 degrees C, and it requires dithiothreitol for maximal activity. The enzyme has a K(m) for ornithine of 0.78 mM and a specific activity of 100 micromol/min/mg protein. PBCV-1 ODC is quite sensitive to the competitive inhibitor L-arginine and the irreversible inhibitor difluoromethylarginine but it is less sensitive to the irreversible inhibitor difluoromethylornithine. The a207r gene is expressed both early and late in PBCV-1 infection and is highly conserved among the chlorella viruses. The 42-kDa PBCV-1 ODC (372 amino acids) is the smallest ODC in the databases and, to our knowledge, is the first virus-encoded ODC.

Caspase activation in etoposide-treated fibroblasts is correlated to ERK phosphorylation and both events are blocked by polyamine depletion

Activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) 1 and 2 is correlated to cell survival, but in some cases ERKs can act in signal transduction pathways leading to apoptosis. Treatment of mouse fibroblasts with 20 microM etoposide elicited a sustained phosphorylation of ERK 1/2, that increased until 24 h from the treatment in parallel with caspase activity. The inhibitor of ERK activation PD98059 abolished caspase activation, but caspase inhibition did not reduce ERK 1/2 phosphorylation, suggesting that ERK activation is placed upstream of caspases. Both ERK and caspase activation were blocked in cells depleted of polyamines by the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). In etoposide-treated cells, DFMO also abolished phosphorylation of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinases triggered by the drug. Polyamine replenishment with exogenous putrescine restored the ability of the cells to undergo caspase activation and ERK 1/2 phosphorylation in response to etoposide. Ornithine decarboxylase activity decreased after etoposide, indicating that DFMO exerts its effect by depleting cellular polyamines before induction of apoptosis. These results reveal a role for polyamines in the transduction of the death signal triggered by etoposide.

Antizyme induction by polyamine analogues as a factor of cell growth inhibition

The polyamines spermidine and spermine and their diamine precursor putrescine are essential for mammalian cell growth and viability, and strategies are sought for reducing polyamine levels in order to inhibit cancer growth. Several structural analogues of the polyamines have been found to decrease natural polyamine levels and inhibit cell growth, probably by stimulating normal feedback mechanisms. In the present study, a large selection of spermine analogues has been tested for their effectiveness in inducing the production of antizyme, a key protein in feedback inhibition of putrescine synthesis and cellular polyamine uptake. Bisethylnorspermine, bisethylhomospermine, 1,19-bis-(ethylamino)-5,10,15-triazanonadecane, longer oligoamine constructs and many conformationally constrained analogues of these compounds were found to stimulate antizyme synthesis to different levels in rat liver HTC cells, with some producing far more antizyme than the natural polyamine spermine. Uptake of the tested compounds was found to be dependent on, and limited by, the polyamine transport system, for which all these have approximately equal affinity. These analogues differed in their ability to inhibit HTC cell growth during 3 days of exposure, and this ability correlated with their antizyme-inducing potential. This is the first direct evidence that antizyme is induced by several polyamine analogues. Selection of analogues with this potential may be an effective strategy for maximizing polyamine deprivation and growth inhibition.

Effect of polyamine depletion on cone photoreceptors of the developing rabbit retina

PURPOSE

To measure the concentrations of polyamines, determine their cellular and subcellular localization, and analyze effects of their depletion in developing rabbit retina.

METHODS

Isolated retinas at different developmental stages were analyzed for polyamine content by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). An antibody against polyamines was used to localize endogenous stores in both freshly harvested retinas and neonatal retinal explants. To determine the effects of polyamine depletion on immature retina, neonatal explants were cultured in the presence or absence of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an inhibitor of the polyamine synthetic enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Similar studies were also performed on dissociated cell cultures. Tissue was assessed using standard histologic stains as well as cell-specific markers (peanut agglutinin for cone photoreceptors and calbindin for horizontal cells).

RESULTS

Retinal polyamine content was highest at birth, remained relatively high during the first postnatal week, and then steadily decreased to adult levels. At all ages analyzed, spermine concentration was higher than putrescine or spermidine; however, the differential was greatest in the adult. Polyamine immunoreactivity was localized to distal processes of both rods and cones during development. Strong immunoreactivity was maintained in adult cone inner and outer segments; comparatively weak staining was observed in the adult rods. Heavy staining of ganglion cells was present throughout development but was localized in the cytoplasm in immature cells and in the nucleus in the adult. Amacrine cells stained only in the adult. Polyamine depletion caused a disruption of immature cones, evident in the loss of their somata in the outer nuclear layer, in their processes in the outer plexiform layer in retinal explants, and in their decreased association with horizontal cells in dissociated cell culture.

CONCLUSIONS

The relatively high concentrations of polyamines in neonatal retina and their discrete localization in developing photoreceptor outer segments and ganglion cells suggests an important role for these compounds in development. The disruption of cone-specific markers in polyamine-depleted retinas indicates a specific reliance on polyamines for expression of normal cone morphology or morphologic development. These developmental effects may involve polyamine-sensitive ion channels, which are known to exist in retina, or direct interactions with specialized cytoskeletal elements within outer segments.

Entamoeba histolytica: purification and characterization of ornithine decarboxylase

Ornithine decarboxylase, a rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis in eukaryotes, was stabilized and purified from trophozoites of the parasite protozoan E. histolytica. Analytical electrophoresis revealed the presence in the purified preparations of a major polypeptide of 45 kDa and barely detectable amounts of two other proteins of 70 and 120 kDa. Both the 45 and 70 kDa polypeptides were recognized by a mouse anti-ODC monoclonal antibody. The major polypeptide exhibited amino terminal sequence homology in the range of 40-73% with ODCs from other organisms. The immunoreactive polypeptide of 70 kDa was not identified. The molecular masses of 216 and 45 kDa determined for the native enzyme by gel filtration and for the major polypeptide by SDS-PAGE, respectively, suggest that the amoeba ODC is a homopentamer. Dialysis against hydroxylamine rendered the enzyme activity fully dependent on pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP). As expected for an oligomeric enzyme, ODC activity exhibited sigmoidal kinetics when it was measured as a function of increasing concentrations of L-ornithine and PLP yielding S(0.5) values of 0.45 and 0.18 mM, respectively. Purified ODC was inhibited by 1,3-diaminopropane and 2,4-diamino-2-butanone but was largely insensitive to inhibition by alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), indicating that the enzyme may not be a suitable target for this anti-parasitic drug. Other features of the amoeba ODC were common with the enzyme from prokaryotes and eucaryotes.