NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase1 (DT-diaphorase) expression in normal and tumor tissues

NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 expression in kidney podocytes

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1; DT-diaphorase; DTD) is a cytosolic two-electron reductase, and compounds of the quinone family such as mitomycin C are efficiently bioactivated by this enzyme. The observation that DT-diaphorase is highly expressed in many cancerous tissues compared to normal tissues has provided us with a potentially selective target that can be exploited in the design of novel anticancer agents. Because of the relative lack of information about the cell-specific expression of DT-diaphorase, the purpose of this study was to map the distribution of this enzyme in normal human tissues. Fifteen tissue samples from normal human kidney were analyzed for expression of DT-diaphorase by immunohistochemistry (two-step indirect method). We found a specific high expression of DT-diaphorase in glomerular visceral epithelial cells (podocytes). These results suggest that a high expression of DT-diaphorase in podocytes could play a major role in the pathogenesis of renal toxicity and mitomycin C-induced hemolytic uremic syndrome, in which injury to the glomerular filtration mechanism is the primary damage, leading to a cascade of deleterious events including microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. This observation has potential therapeutic implications because the DT-diaphorase metabolic pathway is influenced by many agents, including drugs, diet, and environmental cell factors such as pH and oxygen tension.

Modulatory effect of henna leaf (Lawsonia inermis) on drug metabolising phase I and phase II enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation and chemically induced skin and forestomach papillomagenesis in mice

Henna leaf (Lawsonia inermis), commonly known as Mehndi is cultivated throughout India and is a very popular natural dye to color hand and hair. It is an integral part of indigenous culture, and is also known for its medicinal value. The effect of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of 80% ethanolic extract of the fresh leaves of Lawsonia inermis were examined on drug metabolizing phase-I and phase-II enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, glutathione content, lactate dehydrogenase and lipid peroxidation in the liver of 7 weeks old Swiss albino mice. Also anticarcinogenic potential of Henna leaf extract was studied adopting the protocol of benzo(a)pyrene induced forestomach and 7,12 dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-initiated and croton oil-promoted skin papillomagenesis. Our primary findings reveal the 'duel-acting' nature of henna leaf as deduced from its potential to induce only the phase-II enzyme activity, associated mainly with carcinogen detoxification in liver of mice and inhibit the phase I enzyme activities. The hepatic glutathione S-transferase and DT-diaphorase specific activities were elevated above basal (p < 0.005) level by Lawsonia inermis extract treatment. With reference to antioxidant enzymes the investigated doses were effective in increasing the hepatic glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities significantly (from p < 0.05 to p < 0.005) at both the dose levels. Reduced glutathione (GSH) measured as non-protein sulphydryl was found to be significantly elevated in liver (p < 0.005) and in all the extrahepatic organs studied (from p < 0.05 to p < 0.005). Among the extrahepatic organs examined (forestomach, kidney and lung) glutathione S-transferase and DT-diaphorase level were increased in a dose independent manner (from p < 0.05 to p < 0.005). Chemopreventive response was measured by the average number of papillomas per mouse (tumor burden) as well as percentage of tumor bearing animals and tumor multiplicity. There was a significant inhibition of tumor burden in both the tumor model systems studied (from p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). Tumor incidence was also reduced by both the doses used in our experiment in both the model systems.

Transient induction of increased aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1 levels in cultured human breast (adeno)carcinoma cell lines via 5'-upstream xenobiotic, and electrophile, responsive elements is, respectively, estrogen receptor-dependent and -independent

Transient up-regulation of ALDH3A1, CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 transcription by transient exposure to aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands, e.g. 3-methylcholanthrene, is via transient transactivation of xenobiotic responsive elements (XRE) present in the 5'-upstream regions of these genes. Others have shown that AhR ligand-mediated induction of increased CYP1A1 levels in cultured human breast (adeno)carcinoma cell lines is apparently estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent, i.e. it was observed in ER(+) cell lines but not in ER(-) cell lines, whereas AhR ligand-mediated induction of increased CYP1B1 levels is ER-independent, i.e. it was observed in both ER(+) and ER(-) cell lines. The present investigation established that transient, AhR ligand/XRE-mediated induction of increased ALDH3A1 levels in human breast (adeno)carcinoma cell lines was, like that of CYP1A1 and unlike that of CYP1B1, apparently ER-dependent. Thus, transient exposure to 3-methylcholanthrene induced increased levels of ALDH3A1 in five cultured human breast (adeno)carcinoma cell lines that were documented as being ER(+), viz., MCF-7/0, MCF-7/OAP, T-47D, ZR-75-1 and MDA-MB-468, but failed to induce increased levels of this enzyme in four cultured human breast (adeno)carcinoma cell lines that have been historically viewed as being ER(-), viz., MDA-MB-231, SK-BR-3, HS-578-T and MDA-MB-435. Somewhat at odds with the foregoing, transient exposure to 3-methylcholanthrene also induced increased levels of ALDH3A1 and CYP1A1 in cultured, essentially ER(-), human breast epithelial MCF-10A cells. These cells, like cultured human breast (adeno)carcinoma cells, are immortal, but unlike the latter, are not tumorigenic. Transient induction of increased ALDH3A1 levels can also be effected by agents that are not AhR ligands, viz., electrophiles such as catechol, and thus, cannot up-regulate ALDH3A1 transcription via transactivation of a 5'-upsteam region XRE. Rather, they are thought to up-regulate ALDH3A1 transcription via transient transactivation of an electrophile responsive element (EpRE) that is putatively also present in the 5'-upstream region of this gene. Electrophile-initiated/EpRE-mediated induction of increased ALDH3A1 levels was found to be ER-independent. Thus, catechol transiently induced increased levels of ALDH3A1 in the five ER(+) human breast (adeno)carcinoma cell lines, the four ER(-) human breast (adeno)carcinoma cell lines, and the ER(-), immortal but not tumorigenic, human breast epithelial cell line.

Benzo(a)pyrene activates extracellular signal-related and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases in HT29 colon adenocarcinoma cells: involvement in NAD(P)H:quinone reductase activity and cell proliferation

Benzo(a)pyrene (BP) is a polyaromatic hydrocarbon generated from the combustion of fossil fuel. Human exposure results primarily through dietary sources and smoking. Little is known about the effect of BP on mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, which include extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. We investigated the participation of BP-induced MAP kinase activation in cell growth and increases in activity of the detoxification enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone reductase (QR). In HT29 human colon carcinoma cells, 10 nM BP activated ERK and p38 but not JNK after 24 h. Treatment with 10 nM BP increased QR activity within 24 h and tritiated thymidine ([(3)H]thyd) incorporation after 48 h and reduced cell viability after 72 h. Using the MAP kinase inhibitors PD98059 and SB203580, we investigated the relative contributions of ERK and p38 to QR activity and [(3)H]thyd cell incorporation. Inhibition of ERK eliminated BP-induced QR activity, whereas inhibition of p38 had no effect on QR activity. Treatment of cells with 10 nM BP increased [(3)H]thyd incorporation by 50% after 48 h. This increase was eliminated by ERK but not p38 inhibition. In conclusion, 10 nM BP activates ERK and p38, but only ERK contributes to BP-induced QR activity. ERK, but not p38 activation participated in [(3)H]thyd incorporation. In summary, BP influences cellular signaling pathways at concentrations present in routine human exposures.

Two-electron reduction of quinones by rat liver NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase: quantitative structure-activity relationships

Mammalian NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1, DT-diaphorase, EC 1.6.99.2) catalyzes the two-electron reduction of quinones and plays one of the main roles in the bioactivation of quinoidal drugs. In order to understand the enzyme substrate specificity, we have examined the reactions of rat NQO1 with a number of quinones with available potentials of single-electron (E(1)(7)) reduction and pK(a) of their semiquinones. The hydride transfer potentials (E(7)(H(-))) were calculated from the midpoint potentials of quinones and pK(a) of hydroquinones. Our findings imply that benzo- and naphthoquinones with a van der Waals volume (VdWvol) < or = 200 A(3) are much more reactive than glutathionyl-substituted naphthoquinones, polycyclic quinones, and FMN (VdWvol>200 A(3)) with the same reduction potentials. The entropies of activation (DeltaS(not equal)) in the reduction of "fast" oxidants are equal to -84 to -76 J mol(-1) K(-1), whereas in the reduction of "slow" oxidants Delta S(not equal)=-36 to -11 J mol(-1) K(-1). The large negative Delta S(not equal) in the reduction of fast oxidants may be explained by their better electronic coupling with reduced FAD or the formation of charge-transfer complexes, since fast oxidants bind at the dicumarol binding site, whereas the binding of some slow oxidants outside it has been demonstrated. The reactivity of quinones may be equally well described in terms of the three-step (e(-),H(+),e(-)) hydride transfer, using E(1)(7), pK(a)(QH*), and VdWvol as correlation parameters, or in terms of single-step (H(-)) hydride transfer, using E(7)(H(-)) and VdWvol in the correlation. The analysis of NQO1 reactions with single-electron acceptors and quinones using an "outer-sphere" electron transfer model points to the possibility of a three-step hydride transfer.

Differential gene expression of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase and NRH:quinone oxidoreductase in human hepatocellular and biliary tissue

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) and dihydronicotinamide riboside:quinone oxidoreductases (NQO2) are cytosolic flavoproteins that catalyze the two-electron reduction of quinones and quinoid compounds to hydroquinones, thereby promoting detoxification and preventing the formation of highly reactive oxygen species, which lead to DNA and cell damage. Two NQO isoforms, designated NQO1 and NQO2, have been cloned and sequenced. To elucidate their role in carcinogenesis, the gene expression of human NQO1 and NQO2 in paired normal and tumor tissue samples was examined. Quantitative triplex reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was employed to analyze NQO1 and NQO2 mRNA expression in normal hepatic and biliary tissue as well as in cholangiocellular carcinomas (CCC), hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), and focal nodular hyperplasias (FNH). Coexpression of beta-actin RNA was used as an internal reference standard and linear ranges of transcript amplification were established for each sample. In normal hepatocellular tissue, the two NQO isoforms were differentially regulated, with a higher expression of NQO2 than NQO1. Malignant hepatocellular tissue (HCC), however, displayed up-regulation of NQO1 and down-regulation of NQO2. Regulation of either transcript was not seen in benign hepatocellular tumor tissue (FNH), which indicates a reciprocal control of NQO genes in hepatocarcinogenesis. Normal biliary tissue expressed a significantly higher level of NQO1 transcripts compared with normal liver, whereas biliary NQO2 levels were significantly lower than in hepatocellular tissue. Comparing the levels of expression in normal and malignant biliary tissue (CCC), no significant differences were noted between the expression levels of either transcript. Thus, this study provides evidence for differential hepatic and biliary regulation of both NQO1 and NQO2.

Expression of the prodrug-activating enzyme DT-diaphorase via Ad5 delivery to human colon carcinoma cells in vitro

Intratumoral injection of recombinant adenoviral type 5 (Ad5) vectors that carry prodrug-activating enzymes like DT-diaphorase (DTD) could be used to selectively target tumor cells for chemotherapy. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, Ad5 vectors were constructed, which express human DTD minigenes for both wild-type and mutant (C-to-T change in nucleotide 609 in DTD cDNA) DTD under the control of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. HT29 human colon carcinoma cells express wild-type DTD, whereas BE human colon carcinoma cells express mutant DTD, have low to undetectable DTD activity, and are 4- to 6-fold more resistant to mitomycin C (MMC) than HT29 cells. A test of the ability of Ad5 to infect these cells (using a beta-galactosidase CMV-driven minigene) indicated that 90-100% of BE cells were infected at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 100, whereas only 15-40% of HT29 cells were infected at this MOI. Infection of BE cells in vitro with recombinant Ad5 carrying a minigene for wild-type DTD at MOIs of 3-100 resulted in a progressive increase in DTD activity and a maximal 8-fold increase in sensitivity to MMC as measured by a colony-forming assay. HT29 cells were sensitized 2- to 3-fold following treatment with Ad5.DTD at an MOI of 100. These results indicate that adenovirus-mediated gene transfer and expression of wild-type DTD can sensitize resistant tumor cells to MMC and that this therapeutic strategy may exert a significant bystander effect.

Polymorphisms of metabolizing enzymes and transporter proteins involved in the clearance of anticancer agents

BACKGROUND

The efficacies and toxicities of anticancer agents vary greatly among patients. This is attributable to the activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes and membrane transporters, primarily determined by polymorphisms of the functions of genes encoding these proteins.

DESIGN

We reviewed the available literature on drug-metabolizing enzymes and membrane transporters, especially their physiological functions, genetic and functional polymorphisms, and involvement in metabolism, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of anticancer agents.

RESULTS

Nine enzymes metabolizing anticancer agents have been shown to have genetic polymorphisms: dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, cytochrome P450, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, N-acetyltransferase 2, thiopurine methyltransferase, glutathione S-transferase, and uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase. Decreased activities of these proteins can cause not only inherited metabolic disorders, but also extraordinarily severe toxicity in cancer patients given chemothearpy. Transporter proteins mediate cellular uptake and secretion of organic anions and cations. These proteins have recently been shown to play critical roles in the clearance of anticancer agents, although relations between patients' genetics backgrounds and the clinical significance of drug actions are poorly understood.

CONCLUSIONS

Further studies should be focused on dosing and selection of anticancer agents, based on the type and extent of metabolic variation among individuals, in order to avoid adverse reactions and therapeutic failure.

Overexpression of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 in human reproductive system

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1; DT-diaphorase; DTD) is a two-electron reductase that efficiently bioactivates compounds of the quinone family, such as mitomycin C. The observation that DTD is overexpressed in many cancerous tissues compared to normal tissues has provided us with a potentially selective target that can be exploited in the design of novel anticancer agents. Because of the relative lack of information on the cell-specific expression of DTD, the purpose of this study was to perform a body mapping of its normal distribution. Tissue samples from various components of the human reproductive system were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. We found strong expression of this enzyme in testicular stromal cells (Leydig cells) and in the epithelium of epididymis, ductuli efferentes, and Fallopian tube. These results suggest that DTD-bioactivated quinones could be responsible for a selective toxicity on these components of the reproductive system and cause clinical problems due to testosterone deficiency and infertility. This observation needs to be investigated in preclinical evaluation of new anticancer quinones and in patients treated with these compounds. (J Histochem Cytochem 49:1187-1188, 2001)

beta-Lapachone-induced apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells: involvement of NQO1/xip3

beta-Lapachone (beta-lap) induces apoptosis in various cancer cells, and its intracellular target has recently been elucidated in breast cancer cells. Here we show that NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1/xip3) expression in human prostate cancer cells is a key determinant for apoptosis and lethality after beta-lap exposures. beta-Lap-treated, NQO1-deficient LNCaP cells were significantly more resistant to apoptosis than NQO1-expressing DU-145 or PC-3 cells after drug exposures. Formation of an atypical 60-kDa PARP cleavage fragment in DU-145 or PC-3 cells was observed after 10 microM beta-lap treatment and correlated with apoptosis. In contrast, LNCaP cells required 25 microM beta-lap to induce similar responses. Atypical PARP cleavage in beta-lap-treated cells was not affected by 100 microM zVAD-fmk; however, coadministration of dicoumarol, a specific inhibitor of NQO1, reduced beta-lap-mediated cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and atypical PARP cleavage in NQO1-expressing cells. Dicoumarol did not affect the more beta-lap-resistant LNCaP cells. Stable transfection of LNCaP cells with NQO1 increased their sensitivity to beta-lap, enhancing apoptosis compared to parental LNCaP cells or vector-alone transfectants. Dicoumarol increased survival of beta-lap-treated NQO1-expressing LNCaP transfectants. NQO1 activity, therefore, is a key determinant of beta-lap-mediated apoptosis and cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells.

Factors influencing the induction of DT-diaphorase activity by 1,2-dithiole-3-thione in human tumor cell lines

NAD(P)H:(quinone acceptor)oxidoreductase (DT-diaphorase) is a two-electron reducing enzyme that activates bioreductive antitumor agents and is induced by a wide variety of compounds including 1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T). We investigated factors influencing DT-diaphorase induction in fourteen human tumor cell lines. Four cell lines had basal DT-diaphorase activity that was increased by D3T treatment (group A), six cell lines had basal DT-diaphorase activity but the activity was not increased by D3T (group B), and four cell lines had low enzyme activity without, or with, D3T (group C). Two cell lines in group A and two cell lines in group B had a C to T polymorphism at base 609 in the NQO(1), DT-diaphorase gene, in one allele, while all four cell lines in group C were homozygous mutants. The base 609 mutant NQO(1) gene produces a protein with little enzyme activity. In group A, D3T increased NQO(1) mRNA and wild-type protein, and also increased mutant protein in the two heterozygous cell lines. In group B, the inducer slightly increased NQO(1) mRNA, did not increase the wild-type protein, but did increase the mutant protein in the two heterozygous cell lines. In group C, D3T increased NQO(1) mRNA as well as its mutant enzyme product. Transfection of the mutant NQO(1) gene into cells with two wild-type alleles did not alter DT-diaphorase activity. The results suggest that the lack of induction of DT-diaphorase activity is transcriptional in nature, that basal and induced expression of DT-diaphorase are regulated independently, and that mutant NQO(1) does not act as a dominant-negative to suppress DT-diaphorase activity.

Polychlorinated biphenyl-induced effects on metabolic enzymes, AP-1 binding, vitamin E, and oxidative stress in the rat liver

Environmental pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), may induce drug metabolism and may be substrates for the induced metabolic enzymes. Both processes may lead to oxidative stress. The goal of this study was to determine the influence of polychlorinated biphenyls, selected as inducers and substrates of drug metabolism, on oxidative events within the liver over a 3-week time course. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats received two ip injections per week of 4-chlorobiphenyl, 2,4,4'-trichlorobiphenyl, 3,4,5-trichlorobiphenyl, 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 77), 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153), or both PCB 77 and 153 (100 micromol/kg/injection) and were euthanized at the end of 1, 2, or 3 weeks. Hepatic cytochrome P450 1A1 (EROD) activity, DT-diaphorase activity, AP-1 DNA-binding activity, conjugated dienes, and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) as well as alpha-tocopheryl quinone (oxidized vitamin E) were determined. While the lower chlorinated biphenyls (at these doses and times) showed little or no effect on these oxidative stress parameters, both CYP 1A1 and DT-diaphorase activities were significantly increased in both male and female rats receiving PCB 77, a ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. In addition, the DNA-binding activity of the transcription factor AP-1 was increased in rats treated with PCB 77 or PCB 153. Within the lipid fraction there was no significant increase observed in conjugated diene concentrations, but there was a significant increase in alpha-tocopheryl quinone upon treatment with all PCBs tested. These data indicate that alpha-tocopheryl quinone may be a sensitive marker for PCB exposure and is possibly increased by a wide range of PCBs.

Reactive oxygen species from NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase constitutively activate NF-kappaB in malignant melanoma cells

The transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is constitutively activated in malignancies from enhanced activity of inhibitor of NF-kappaB (IkappaB) kinase, with accelerated IkappaBalpha degradation. We studied whether redox signaling might stimulate these events. Cultured melanoma cells generated superoxide anions (O(2)(-)) without serum stimulation. O(2)(-) generation was reduced by the NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO) inhibitor dicumarol and the quinone analog capsaicin, suggesting that electron transfer from NQO through a quinone-mediated pathway may be an important source of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tumor cells. Treatment of malignant melanoma cells with the H(2)O(2) scavenger catalase, the sulfhydryl donor N-acetylcysteine, the glutathione peroxidase mimetic ebselen, or dicumarol decreased NF-kappaB activation. Catalase, N-acetylcysteine, ebselen, dicumarol, and capsaicin also inhibited growth of melanoma and other malignant cell lines. These results raise the possibility that ROS produced endogenously by mechanisms involving NQO can constitutively activate NF-kappaB in an autocrine fashion and suggest the potential for new antioxidant strategies for interruption of oxidant signaling of melanoma cell growth.

Regulation of p53 stability and p53-dependent apoptosis by NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1

The tumor suppressor gene wild-type p53 encodes a labile protein that accumulates in cells after different stress signals and can cause either growth arrest or apoptosis. One of the p53 target genes, p53-inducible gene 3 (PIG3), encodes a protein with significant homology to oxidoreductases, enzymes involved in cellular responses to oxidative stress and irradiation. This fact raised the possibility that cellular oxidation-reduction events controlled by such enzymes also may regulate the level of p53. Here we show that NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) regulates p53 stability. The NQO1 inhibitor dicoumarol caused a reduction in the level of both endogenous and gamma-irradiation-induced p53 in HCT116 human colon carcinoma cells. This reduction was prevented by the proteasome inhibitors MG132 and lactacystin, suggesting enhanced p53 degradation in the presence of dicoumarol. Dicoumarol-induced degradation of p53 also was prevented in the presence of simian virus 40 large T antigen, which is known to bind and to stabilize p53. Cells overexpressing NQO1 were resistant to dicoumarol, and this finding indicates the direct involvement of NQO1 in p53 stabilization. NQO1 inhibition induced p53 degradation and blocked wild-type p53-mediated apoptosis in gamma-irradiated normal thymocytes and in M1 myeloid leukemic cells that overexpress wild-type p53. Dicoumarol also reduced the level of p53 in its mutant form in M1 cells. The results indicate that NQO1 plays an important role in regulating p53 functions by inhibiting its degradation.

Three different stable human breast adenocarcinoma sublines that overexpress ALDH3A1 and certain other enzymes, apparently as a consequence of constitutively upregulated gene transcription mediated by transactivated EpREs (electrophile responsive elements) present in the 5'-upstream regions of these genes

ALDH3A1 catalyzes the detoxification of cyclophosphamide, mafosfamide, 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide and other oxazaphosphorines. Constitutive ALDH3A1 levels, as well as those of certain other drug-metabolizing enzymes, e.g. NQO1 and CYP1A1, are relatively low in cultured, relatively oxazaphosphorine-sensitive, human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells. However, transient cellular insensitivity to the oxazaphosphorines can be brought about in these cells by transiently elevating ALDH3A1 levels in them as a consequence of transient exposure to: (1) electrophiles such as catechol that induce the transcription of a battery of genes, e.g. ALDH3A1 and NQO1, having in common an electrophile responsive element (EpRE) in their 5'-upstream regions; or (2) Ah-receptor agonists, e.g. indole-3-carbinol and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as 3-methylcholanthrene, that induce the transcription of a battery of genes, e.g. ALDH3A1, NQO1 and CYP1A1, having in common a xenobiotic responsive element (XRE) in their 5'-upstream regions. Further, MCF-7 sublines that are constitutively, i.e. when grown in the absence of the original selecting pressure, relatively oxazaphosphorine-insensitive as a consequence of constitutively relatively elevated cellular ALDH3A1 levels evolved when MCF-7 cells were: (1) continuously exposed for several months to gradually increasing concentrations of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide or benz(a)pyrene; or (2) briefly exposed (once for 30 min) to a high concentration (1 mM) of mafosfamide. Each of these three stable sublines is constitutively relatively cross-insensitive to benz(a)pyrene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Cellular levels of NQO1, but not of CYP1A1, are also constitutively relatively elevated in each of the three sublines. RT-PCR-based experiments established that ALDH3A1 mRNA levels are constitutively elevated ( approximately 5- to 8-fold) in each of the three sublines. The elevated ALDH3A1 mRNA levels are not the consequence of gene amplification, hypomethylation of a relevant regulatory element, or ALDH3A1 mRNA stabilization. Collectively, these observations suggest that constitutively elevated levels of ALDH3A1 and certain other enzymes in the three stable sublines are probably the consequence of a constitutive change in the cellular concentration of a key component of the EpRE signaling pathway, such that the cellular concentration of the relevant ultimate transactivating factor is constitutively elevated, i.e. gene transcription promoted by transactivated EpREs is constitutively upregulated. Further, constitutively upregulated gene transcription mediated by transactivated EpREs can be relatively easily induced, whereas that mediated by transactivated XREs cannot, at least in MCF-7 cells. Still further, the three sublines may facilitate study of the signaling pathway that leads to transactivation of the EpREs present in the 5'-upstream regions of ALDH3A1, NQO1 and other gene loci.

Regulation of p53 stability and p53-dependent apoptosis by NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1

The tumor suppressor gene wild-type p53 encodes a labile protein that accumulates in cells after different stress signals and can cause either growth arrest or apoptosis. One of the p53 target genes, p53-inducible gene 3 (PIG3), encodes a protein with significant homology to oxidoreductases, enzymes involved in cellular responses to oxidative stress and irradiation. This fact raised the possibility that cellular oxidation-reduction events controlled by such enzymes also may regulate the level of p53. Here we show that NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) regulates p53 stability. The NQO1 inhibitor dicoumarol caused a reduction in the level of both endogenous and gamma-irradiation-induced p53 in HCT116 human colon carcinoma cells. This reduction was prevented by the proteasome inhibitors MG132 and lactacystin, suggesting enhanced p53 degradation in the presence of dicoumarol. Dicoumarol-induced degradation of p53 also was prevented in the presence of simian virus 40 large T antigen, which is known to bind and to stabilize p53. Cells overexpressing NQO1 were resistant to dicoumarol, and this finding indicates the direct involvement of NQO1 in p53 stabilization. NQO1 inhibition induced p53 degradation and blocked wild-type p53-mediated apoptosis in gamma-irradiated normal thymocytes and in M1 myeloid leukemic cells that overexpress wild-type p53. Dicoumarol also reduced the level of p53 in its mutant form in M1 cells. The results indicate that NQO1 plays an important role in regulating p53 functions by inhibiting its degradation.

Establishment of an isogenic human colon tumor model for NQO1 gene expression: application to investigate the role of DT-diaphorase in bioreductive drug activation in vitro and in vivo

Many tumors overexpress the NQO1 gene, which encodes DT-diaphorase (NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase; EC 1.6.99.2). This obligate two-electron reductase deactivates toxins and activates bioreductive anticancer drugs. We describe the establishment of an isogenic human tumor cell model for DT-diaphorase expression. An expression vector was used in which the human elongation factor 1alpha promoter produces a bicistronic message containing the genes for human NQO1 and puromycin resistance. This was transfected into the human colon BE tumor line, which has a disabling point mutation in NQO1. Two clones, BE2 and BE5, were selected that were shown by immunoblotting and enzyme activity to stably express high levels of DT-diaphorase. Drug response was determined using 96-h exposures compared with the BE vector control. Functional validation of the isogenic model was provided by the much greater sensitivity of the NQO1-transfected cells to the known DT-diaphorase substrates and bioreductive agents streptonigrin (113- to 132-fold) and indoloquinone EO9 (17- to 25-fold) and the inhibition of this potentiation by the DT-diaphorase inhibitor dicoumarol. A lower degree of potentiation was seen with the clinically used agent mitomycin C (6- to 7-fold) and the EO9 analogs, EO7 and EO2, that are poorer substrates for DT-diaphorase (5- to 8-fold and 2- to 3-fold potentiation, respectively), and there was no potentiation or protection with menadione and tirapazamine. Exposure time-dependent potentiation was seen with the diaziquone analogs methyl-diaziquone and RH1 [2, 5-diaziridinyl-3-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone], the latter being an agent in preclinical development. In contrast to the in vitro potentiation, there was no difference in the response to mitomycin C when BE2 and BE vector control were treated as tumor xenografts in vivo. This isogenic model should be valuable for mechanistic studies and bioreductive drug development.

Antioxidant regulation of genes encoding enzymes that detoxify xenobiotics and carcinogens

Antioxidants are substances that delay or prevent the oxidation of cellular oxidizable substrates. The various antioxidants exert their effect by scavenging superoxide or by activating a battery of detoxifying/defensive proteins. In this chapter, we have focused on the mechanisms by which antioxidants induce gene expression. Many xenobiotics (e.g., beta-naphthoflavone) activate genes similar to those activated by antioxidants. The promoters of these genes contain a common cis-element, termed the antioxidant response element (ARE), which contains two TRE (TPA response element) or TRE-like elements followed by GC box. Mutational studies have identified GTGAC***GC as the core of the ARE sequence. Many transcription factors, including Nrf, Jun, Fos, Fra, Maf, YABP, ARE-BP1, Ah (aromatic hydrocarbon) receptor, and estrogen receptor bind to the ARE from the various genes. Among these factors, Nrf-Jun heterodimers positively regulate ARE-mediated expression and induction of genes in response to antioxidants and xenobiotics. This Nrf-Jun heterodimerization and binding to the ARE requires unknown cytosolic factors. The mechanism of signal transduction from antioxidants and xenobiotics includes several steps: (1) Antioxidants and xenobiotics undergo metabolism to generate superoxide and related reactive species, leading to the generation of a signal to activate expression of detoxifying/defensive genes. (2) The generation of superoxide and related reactive species is followed by activation of yet to be identified cytosolic factors by unknown mechanism(s). (3). Activated cytosolic factors catalyze modification of Nrf and/or Jun proteins, which bind to the ARE in promoters of the various detoxifying/defensive genes. (4) The transcription of genes encoding detoxifying/defensive proteins is increased. The unknown cytosolic factors are significant molecules because they represent the oxidative sensors within the cells. Identification of the cytosolic factors will be of considerable importance in the field of antioxidants and gene regulation research. Future studies will also be required to completely understand the molecular mechanism of signal transduction from antioxidants and xenobiotics to Nrf-Jun. In addition to the Nrf-Jun pathway, mammalian cells also contain other pathways that activate gene expression in response to oxidative stress. These include NF-KB-, HIF-1-, Mac-1-, and SRF-mediated pathways. It is expected that collectively these pathways increase transcription of more than four dozen genes to protect cells against oxidative stress.

Investigation of the Alamar Blue (resazurin) fluorescent dye for the assessment of mammalian cell cytotoxicity

We show here the identity of Alamar Blue as resazurin. The 'resazurin reduction test' has been used for about 50 years to monitor bacterial and yeast contamination of milk, and also for assessing semen quality. Resazurin (blue and nonfluorescent) is reduced to resorufin (pink and highly fluorescent) which is further reduced to hydroresorufin (uncoloured and nonfluorescent). It is still not known how this reduction occurs, intracellularly via enzyme activity or in the medium as a chemical reaction, although the reduced fluorescent form of Alamar Blue was found in the cytoplasm and of living cells nucleus of dead cells. Recently, the dye has gained popularity as a very simple and versatile way of measuring cell proliferation and cytotoxicity. This dye presents numerous advantages over other cytotoxicity or proliferation tests but we observed several drawbacks to the routine use of Alamar Blue. Tests with several toxicants in different cell lines and rat primary hepatocytes have shown accumulation of the fluorescent product of Alamar Blue in the medium which could lead to an overestimation of cell population. Also, the extensive reduction of Alamar Blue by metabolically active cells led to a final nonfluorescent product, and hence an underestimation of cellular activity.

NAD(P)H:Quinone oxidoreductase activity is the principal determinant of beta-lapachone cytotoxicity

beta-Lapachone activates a novel apoptotic response in a number of cell lines. We demonstrate that the enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) substantially enhances the toxicity of beta-lapachone. NQO1 expression directly correlated with sensitivity to a 4-h pulse of beta-lapachone in a panel of breast cancer cell lines, and the NQO1 inhibitor, dicoumarol, significantly protected NQO1-expressing cells from all aspects of beta-lapachone toxicity. Stable transfection of the NQO1-deficient cell line, MDA-MB-468, with an NQO1 expression plasmid increased apoptotic responses and lethality after beta-lapachone exposure. Dicoumarol blocked both the apoptotic responses and lethality. Biochemical studies suggest that reduction of beta-lapachone by NQO1 leads to a futile cycling between the quinone and hydroquinone forms, with a concomitant loss of reduced NAD(P)H. In addition, the activation of a cysteine protease, which has characteristics consistent with the neutral calcium-dependent protease, calpain, is observed after beta-lapachone treatment. This is the first definitive elucidation of an intracellular target for beta-lapachone in tumor cells. NQO1 could be exploited for gene therapy, radiotherapy, and/or chemopreventive interventions, since the enzyme is elevated in a number of tumor types (i.e. breast and lung) and during neoplastic transformation.

Effects of sulindac, sulindac metabolites, and aspirin on the activity of detoxification enzymes in HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been found to reduce cancer rates in various segments of the gastro-intestinal tract in both animals and humans. In this study we examined the effect of sulindac, sulindac sulfide, sulindac sulfone and aspirin on QR and GST activity. We found that sulindac itself increased QR activity as much as 2-fold over controls but had no effect on GST activity. Sulindac sulfone, a metabolite of sulindac which lacks the ability to inhibit prostaglandin (PG) synthesis, increased QR and GST to 1.5-fold over controls in both cases. Aspirin increased QR and GST to 1.5-fold and 3.5-fold over controls respectively. These data indicate that NSAIDs increase phase II enzyme detoxification enzyme activity. Consequently, this effect may contribute to the protective effect of NSAIDs against colon cancer and may be an anticarcinogenic effect of these drugs that is distinct from their ability to inhibit PG synthesis.

DT-diaphorase protects against menadione-induced oxidative stress

To study the role of DT-diaphorase in menadione-mediated cytotoxicity, menadione-resistant cells were selected from P19 cells by stepwise increasing concentrations of menadione from 10 to 60, 120 or 300 microM without mutagenic pretreatment. Three isolated clones, K60, K120 and K300, were maintained in media containing 60, 120 or 300 microM menadione, respectively. The resistance of these cells to menadione, in order, was: K300 > K120 > K60 > P19 cells. K300 cells were the most resistant. Acquisition of resistance was associated with elevation in DT-diaphorase activity. Pretreatment of the resistant cells with 30 microM dicumarol at 37 degrees C for 30 min sensitized the resistant cells to menadione. When the resistant cells were maintained in the absence of menadione for 28 days, the resistance of K60 and K120 cells was lost. The lower degree of resistance was accompanied by a decrease in DT-diaphorase activity in the revertant cells. However, the resistance and the activity of DT-diaphorase in K300 cells were quite stable in the same period. These results support strongly that DT-diaphorase protects against menadione-induced oxidative stress.

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for sensitive determination of the alkylating agent CB1954 in human plasma

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method is described for the measurement of the weak alkylating agent CB1954 in human plasma. CB1954 can be used as an innocuous prodrug designed for activation by bacterial nitroreductases in strategies of gene-directed enzyme-prodrug therapy, and becomes activated to a potent bifunctional alkylating agent. The HPLC method involves precipitation and solvent extraction and uses Mitomycin C (MMC) as an internal standard, with a retention time for MMC of 5.85 +/- 0.015 min, and for CB1954 of 10.72 +/- 0.063 min. The limit of detection for CB1954 is 2.9 ng/ml, and this compares favourably with systems involving direct analysis of plasma (limit of detection 600 ng/ml, approximately). The method is now being used for pharmacokinetic measurements in plasma samples from cancer patients entering phase I clinical trials of CB1954. Results using serial plasma samples from one patient are presented. The patient was treated intravenously with CB1954 (6 mg/m2), and plasma clearance of the drug showed biphasic kinetics with alpha half-life 14.6 min, and beta half-life 170.5 min.

Enhanced cytotoxicity of mitomycin C in human tumour cells with inducers of DT-diaphorase

DT-diaphorase is a two-electron reducing enzyme that activates the bioreductive anti-tumour agent, mitomycin C (MMC). Cell lines having elevated levels of DT-diaphorase are generally more sensitive to MMC. We have shown that DT-diaphorase can be induced in human tumour cells by a number of compounds, including 1,2-dithiole-3-thione. In this study, we investigated whether induction of DT-diaphorase could enhance the cytotoxic activity of MMC in six human tumour cell lines representing four tumour types. DT-diaphorase was induced by many dietary inducers, including propyl gallate, dimethyl maleate, dimethyl fumarate and sulforaphane. The cytotoxicity of MMC was significantly increased in four tumour lines with the increase ranging from 1.4- to threefold. In contrast, MMC activity was not increased in SK-MEL-28 human melanoma cells and AGS human gastric cancer cells, cell lines that have high base levels of DT-diaphorase activity. Toxicity to normal human marrow cells was increased by 50% when MMC was combined with 1,2-dithiole-3-thione, but this increase was small in comparison with the threefold increase in cytotoxicity to tumour cells. This study demonstrates that induction of DT-diaphorase can increase the cytotoxic activity of MMC in human tumour cell lines, and suggests that it may be possible to use non-toxic inducers of DT-diaphorase to enhance the efficacy of bioreductive anti-tumour agents.

Macrophage Activation by Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Evidence for the Involvement of Stress-Activated Protein Kinases, Activator Protein-1, and Antioxidant Response Elements

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) contained in fossil fuel combustion particles enhance the allergic response to common environmental Ags. A key question is: what are molecular pathways in the immune system by which PAH and conversion products drive allergic inflammation? Circumstantial evidence suggests that macrophages are involved in PAH-induced responses. We demonstrate that a representative PAH, β-napthoflavone (BNF), and a representative quinone metabolite, tert-butylhydroxyquinone (tBHQ), induce Jun kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activities in parallel with the generation of activator protein-1 (AP-1) mobility shift complexes in THP-1 and RAW264.7 macrophage cell lines. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases was dependent on generation of oxidative stress, and could be inhibited by N-acetylcysteine. Another genetic response pathway linked to PAH is the antioxidant response element (ARE), which regulates expression of detoxifying enzymes. BNF and tBHQ activated a human ARE (hARE) reporter gene in RAW264.7 cells. Interestingly, bacterial lipopolysaccharide also induced hARE/chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity. While the hARE core, GTGACTCAGC, contains a consensus AP-1 sequence (underlined), AP-1 was not required for hARE activation. This suggests that PAH and their conversion products operate via ARE-specific transcription factors in the immune system. BNF and tBHQ did, however, induce AP-1 binding to the hARE, while constitutively active Jun kinase interfered in hARE/chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activation. This suggests that AP-1 proteins negatively regulate the hARE. These data establish important activation pathways for PAH in the immune system and provide us with targets to modulate the effect of environmental pollutants on allergic inflammation.

Induction of DT-diaphorase by 1,2-dithiole-3-thiones in human tumour and normal cells and effect on anti-tumour activity of bioreductive agents

DT-diaphorase is a two-electron-reducing enzyme that is an important activator of bioreductive anti-tumour agents, such as mitomycin C (MMC) and EO9, and is inducible by many compounds, including 1,2-dithiole-3-thiones (D3Ts). We showed previously that D3T selectively increased DT-diaphorase activity in mouse lymphoma cells compared with normal mouse marrow cells, and also increased MMC or EO9 cytotoxic activity in the lymphoma cells with only minor effects in the marrow cells. In this study, we found that D3T significantly increased DT-diaphorase activity in 28 of 38 human tumour cell lines representing ten tissue types with no obvious relationships between the tumour type, or the base level of DT-diaphorase activity, and the ability of D3T to increase the enzyme activity. Induction of DT-diaphorase activity in human tumour cell lines by 12 D3T analogues varied markedly with the D3T structure. D3T also increased DT-diaphorase activity in normal human bone marrow and kidney cells but the increases were small in these cells. In addition, D3T increased the level of enzyme activity in normal human lung cells. Pretreatment of human tumour cells with D3T analogues significantly increased the cytotoxic activity of MMC or EO9 in these cells, and the level of enhancement of anti-tumour activity paralleled the level of DT-diaphorase induction. In contrast, D3T did not effect the toxicity of EO9 in normal kidney cells. These results demonstrate that D3T analogues can increase DT-diaphorase activity in a wide variety of human tumour cells and that this effect can enhance the anti-tumour activity of the bioreductive agents MMC and EO9.

Mitochondrial NADH-quinone oxidoreductase of the outer membrane is responsible for paraquat cytotoxicity in rat livers

We investigated the existence of an NADH-dependent paraquat (PQ) reduction system in rat liver mitochondria (Mt) in respect to the cytotoxic mechanisms of PQ. The outer membrane fractions, free from the contamination of inner membranes but with a few microsomes, catalyzed rotenone-insensitive NADH, but not NADPH, oxidation by menadione or PQ. Anti-NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase antibody and its inhibitor p-hydroxymercuribenzonate did not inhibit the NADH-PQ reduction activity. Therefore, the respiratory systems of the inner membranes and microsomal cytochrome P450 systems could not have been responsible for the reaction. Dicoumarol, an inhibitor of NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase (NQO), dose dependently suppressed the NADH oxidation in the outer membrane via PQ as well as menadione, with I50 values of 190 (for menadione) and 150 microM (for PQ). Because of a lower sensitivity to NADPH and the higher doses of dicoumarol required for its inhibition, the activity in the outer membrane may be an "NADH-quinone oxidoreductase" which partly differs from the NQO previously reported. This outer membrane enzyme produced superoxide anions in the presence of both NADH and PQ and was too tightly membrane-bound to be extracted by Triton X-100 and deoxycholate. From these results, we concluded that the free radical-producing mitochondrial NADH-quinone oxidoreductase is a novel oxidation-reduction system participating in PQ toxicity. This is in good agreement with our previous results showing that PQ selectively damaged Mt in vivo and in vitro, resulting in cell death (K.-I. Hirai et al., 1992, Toxicology 72, 1-16).

The molecular epidemiology of lung cancer

One in ten tobacco smokers develops bronchogenic carcinoma over a lifetime. The study of susceptibility of an individual and a population to lung cancer traditionally has been limited to the study of tobacco smoke dose and family history of cancer. New insights into lung carcinogenesis have made the study of molecular markers of risk possible in human populations in the emerging field of molecular epidemiology. This review summarizes data addressing the relationships of human lung cancer to polymorphisms of phase I procarcinogen-activating and phase II-deactivating enzymes and intermediate biomarkers of DNA mutation, such as DNA adducts, oncogene and tumor suppressor gene mutation, and polymorphisms. These parameters are reviewed as they relate to tobacco smoke exposure, procarcinogen metabolizing polymorphisms, and the presence of lung cancer. Problem areas in biomarker validation, such as cross-sectional data interpretation; tissue source, race, statistical power, and ethical implications are addressed.

Establishment by adriamycin exposure of multidrug-resistant rat ascites hepatoma AH130 cells showing low DT-diaphorase activity and high cross resistance to mitomycins

A resistant subline (AH130/5A) selected from rat hepatoma AH130 cells after exposure to adriamycin (ADM) showed remarkable resistance to multiple antitumor drugs, including mitomycin C (MMC) and porfiromycin (PFM). PFM, vinblastine (VLB), and ADM accumulated in AH130/5A far less than in the parent AH130 (AH130/P) cells. AH130/5A cells showed overexpression of P-glycoprotein (PGP), an increase in glutathione S-transferase activity, and a decrease in DT-diaphorase and glutathione peroxidase activity. The resistance to MMC and VLB of AH130/5A cells was partly reversed by H-87, an inhibitor of PGP. Buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione synthase, did not affect the action of MMC. tert-Butylhydroquinone induced DT-diaphorase activity, increased PFM uptake, and enhanced the growth-inhibitory action of MMC in AH130/5A cells. Dicumarol, an inhibitor of DT-diaphorase, decreased PFM uptake and reduced the growth-inhibitory action of MMC in AH130/P cells. These results indicated that the adriamycin treatment of hepatoma cells caused multifactorial multidrug resistance involving a decrease in DT-diaphorase activity.

DT-diaphorase and cytochrome B5 reductase in human lung and breast tumours

The level of expression of enzymes that can activate or detoxify bioreductive agents within tumours has emerged as an important feature in the development of these anti-tumour compounds. The levels of two such reductase enzymes have been determined in 19 human non-small-cell lung tumours and 20 human breast tumours, together with the corresponding normal tissue. DT-diaphorase (DTD) enzyme levels (both expression and activity) were determined in these samples. Cytochrome b5 reductase (Cytb5R) activity was also assessed. With the exception of six patients, the levels of DTD activity were below 45 nmol min(-1) mg(-1) in the normal tissues assayed. DTD tumour activity was extremely variable, distinguishing two different groups of patients, one with DTD activity above 79 nmol min(-1) mg(-1) and the other with levels that were in the same range as found for the normal tissues. In 53% of the lung tumour samples, DTD activity was increased with respect to the normal tissue by a factor of 2.4-90.3 (range 79-965 nmol min[-1] mg[-1]). In 70% of the breast tumour samples, DTD activity was over 80 nmol min(-1) mg(-1) (range 83-267 nmol min[-1] mg[-1]). DTD expression measured by Western blot correlated well with the enzyme activity measured in both tumour and normal tissues. The levels of the other reductase enzyme, Cytb5R, were not as variable as those for DTD, being in the same range in both tumour and normal tissue or slightly higher in the normal tissues. The heterogeneous nature of DTD activity and expression reinforces the need to measure enzyme levels in individual patients before therapy with DTD-activated bioreductive drugs.

Development, pharmacology, role of DT-diaphorase and prospects of the indoloquinone EO9

1. The indoloquinone EO9 (3-hydroxymethyl-5-aziridinyl-1-methyl-2- (1H-indole-4,7-dione)-propenol; E85/053; NSC 382,459) is a synthetic bioreductive alkylating agent that is structurally related to mitomycin C (MMC). 2. EO9 does, however, show a different mechanism of action and a broader antitumour profile than MMC. It is also a more potent cytotoxic agent in vitro than MMC, probably because of its impressive efficient activation by reductive enzymes, particularly DT-Diaphorase. This enzyme is elevated in several tumours compared to normal tissues. 3. The preferential cytotoxicity of EO9 under hypoxic conditions makes it an interesting compound to combine with radiation. 4. In preclinical and the Phase I clinical studies, no myelosuppression was observed but reversible proteinuria was dose-limiting. Phase II clinical studies were started in the summer of 1994.

AP-2-mediated regulation of human NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) gene expression

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a flavoprotein that catalyzes two-electron reduction and detoxification of quinones. We have shown previously that twenty-four base pairs of the human Antioxidant Response Element (hARE) mediate basal and xenobiotic-induced expression of the NQO1 gene [Li and Jaiswal, J Biol Chem 267: 15097-15104, 1992]. In the present report, we have characterized a second cis-element, AP-2, at nucleotide position -157 of the human NQO1 gene promotor that regulates basal and cAMP-induced transcription of the NQO1 gene. The NQO1 gene AP-2 mediated expression of the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene and the binding of nuclear proteins to the AP-2 element were observed in HeLa (AP-2 positive) cells but not in human hepatoblastoma Hep-G2 (AP-2 deficient) cells, indicating the involvement of transcription factors AP-2 in the regulation of NQO1 gene expression. Affinity purification of nuclear protein that binds to the NQO1 gene AP-2 DNA element and western analysis revealed that AP-2 indeed binds to the NQO1 gene AP-2 element and regulates its expression HeLa cells. The involvement of AP-2 in the regulation of NQO1 gene expression was confirmed by the observation that cDNA-derived AP-2 protein in Hep-G2 cells increased in NQO1 gene AP-2 but not mutant AP-2 mediated expression of CAT gene in Hep-G2 cells.

Substrate specificity of an aflatoxin-metabolizing aldehyde reductase

The enzyme from rat liver that reduces aflatoxin B1-dialdehyde exhibits a unique catalytic specificity distinct from that of other aldo-keto reductases. This enzyme, designated AFAR, displays high activity towards dicarbonyl-containing compounds with ketone groups on adjacent carbon atoms; 9,10-phenanthrenequinone, acenaphthenequinone and camphorquinone were found to be good substrates. Although AFAR can also reduce aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes such as succinic semialdehyde, it is inactive with glucose, galactose and xylose. The enzyme also exhibits low activity towards alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl-containing compounds. Determination of the apparent Km reveals that AFAR has highest affinity for 9,10-phenanthrenequinone and succinic semialdehyde, and low affinity for glyoxal and DL-glyceraldehyde.

Induction of DT-diaphorase by doxorubicin and combination therapy with mitomycin C in vitro

Mitomycin C (MMC) is a bioreductive antitumor agent that is activated by NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase (EC 1.6.2.4) and NAD(P)H:(quinone acceptor) oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.99.2) (DT-diaphorase). DT-diaphorase is a two-electron reducing enzyme that is induced by a variety of chemicals, including quinones. Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthraquinone antitumor agent that has been used clinically with MMC for combination chemotherapy in breast cancer. In this study, we investigated whether DOX could selectively induce DT-diaphorase in tumor cells and whether combining this agent with MMC in an appropriate schedule could produce synergistic antitumor activity. Treatment of EMT6 murine mammary tumor cells with DOX resulted in a 40% increase in DT-diaphorase activity in these cells, but had no effect on this enzyme in murine bone marrow cells. Combination therapy with DOX and MMC produced a 1.4-fold level of synergistic cell kill in the tumor cells, but a similar level of synergy was also observed in normal bone marrow cells. Thus, DOX can selectively induce elevated levels of DT-diaphorase in tumor cells; however, the synergy observed by combining this agent with MMC appears to be unrelated to the induction of DT-diaphorase.

DT-diaphorase activity in normal and neoplastic human tissues; an indicator for sensitivity to bioreductive agents?

DT-diaphorase (DTD) is an important enzyme for the bioreductive activation of the new alkylating indoloquinone EO9. In preclinical studies, EO9 has shown selective anti-tumour activity against solid tumours and under hypoxic conditions. The levels of three reductive enzymes have been determined in three types of human solid tumours, together with corresponding normal tissues and normal liver. DTD enzyme activities were measured in tumour extracts using 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPIP) and NADH as substrates; cytochrome P450 reductase or cytochrome b5 reductase activities were assessed with cytochrome c and NADPH or NADH respectively. DTD activity was highest in non-small-cell lung (NSCLC)-tumours (mean 123 nmol DCPIP min-1 mg-1), followed by colon carcinoma (mean 75 nmol min-1 mg-1) and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (6-fold lower than NSCLC). DTD activity was very low in normal liver and normal lung (4-6 nmol min-1 mg-1), while the levels in normal colon mucosa or normal mucosa of the head and neck region were in the same range as the corresponding tumours. The levels of the two other reductive enzymes, cytochrome P450 reductase (CP450R) and cytochrome b5 reductase (Cb5R), were 5 to 25-fold lower than those of DTD in all the tissues, except for normal liver, in which DTD was 2 to 4-fold lower. The degree of variation found for DTD (range 4-250 nmol min-1 mg-1), was not observed for these enzymes (CP450R, 0.8-7.8 nmol cytochrome c min-1 mg-1; Cb5R, 3.5-27.6 nmol min-1 mg-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Increased DT-diaphorase activity in transformed and tumorigenic pancreatic acinar cells

Pancreatic acinar cells from rats treated in vitro with 5-azacytidine and/or transfected with an activated c-H-ras demonstrated transformation and tumorigenic phenotypes. DT-diaphorase (NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase) activity was determined in these non-tumorigenic (3AP) and tumorigenic cells (T3AP and T5AM). T5AM cells were those treated with 5-azacytidine and further treated with N'-methyl-N'-nitro-nitrosoguanidine. Higher levels of enzyme activity were found in transformed cells when compared to that in control cells (> 15-fold, 3AP cells; > 40-fold, T3AP cells; > 20-fold T5AM cells). In contrast, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity was decreased in transformed cells (> 10-fold, 3AP cells; > 20-fold, T3AP cells; > 10-fold, T5AM cells). These studies demonstrated that pancreatic acinar cells are capable of undergoing alterations in enzyme activity patterns when transformed and that DT-diaphorase may be a good marker for malignant transformation.

Presence of a heterozygous substitution and its relationship to DT-diaphorase activity

A point mutation in the mRNA of NADP(H): quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1, DT-diaphorase) is believed to be responsible for reduced enzyme activity in the adenocarcinoma BE cell line. The present study examined nine cultured human non-cancerous fibroblast cell strains, five of which were from members of a single cancer-prone family, which demonstrated widely varying activity levels of DT-diaphorase (41 - 3462 nmol min-1 mg-1 protein), to determine if genetic alteration of the NQO1 or NOQ2 gene was involved in determining enzyme activity. All cell strains expressed NQO1 and NQO2 mRNA as measured by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction amplification technique. No relationship was found between the level of mRNA expressed and the enzyme activity in the cells. Sequencing of the entire complementary DNA from the cell strains revealed only a single base substitution at nucleotide 609 in one allele encoding NQO1 in every cell strain from members of the cancer-prone family, except for one cell strain which expressed only the T at nucleotide 609 in both alleles. Subsequent examination of genomic DNA from 44 individuals revealed that this base substitution is present in approximately 50% of the population. The presence of the T at nucleotide 609 in the NQO1 locus does not appear to be directly causal for altered DT-diaphorase activity.

ARE- and TRE-mediated regulation of gene expression. Response to xenobiotics and antioxidants

Antioxidant response elements (AREs) containing 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate response element (TRE) (perfect AP1) and TRE-like (imperfect AP1) elements mediate high basal transcription of the NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1) and glutathione S-transferase Ya genes in tumor cells and its induction in response to xenobiotics and antioxidants. Mutations in the human NQO1 gene ARE (hARE) revealed the requirement for two TRE or TRE-like elements arranged in inverse orientation at the interval of three base pairs and a GC box for optimal expression and beta-naphthoflavone induction of the NQO1 gene. A single TRE element from the human collagenase gene failed to respond to beta-naphthoflavone. These results demonstrate that ARE (2 x TRE or TRE-like elements)-containing detoxifying enzyme genes and not genes that contain 1 x TRE are responsive to xenobiotics and antioxidants. Bandshift assays showed shifting of a complex of more or less similar mobility with hARE and TRE that could be competed by each other. Mutations in the 3'-TRE of the NQO1 gene hARE eliminated binding of nuclear proteins to the hARE and resulted in the loss of basal and induced expression, indicating that 3'-TRE is the most important element within the hARE. 5'-TRE-like element within the NQO1 gene hARE is required for xenobiotic response but may not bind to the nuclear proteins by itself. The GC box located immediately following the 3'-TRE is required for optimal expression and induction of the NQO1 gene. The comparison of AREs from several different genes indicated the requirement for specific arrangement and spacing of two TRE and TRE-like elements within the AREs.

Phenolic antioxidant-induced overexpression of class-3 aldehyde dehydrogenase and oxazaphosphorine-specific resistance

High-level cytosolic class-3 aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-3)-mediated oxazaphosphorine-specific resistance (> 35-fold as judged by the concentrations of mafosfamide required to effect a 90% cell-kill) was induced in cultured human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7/0 cells by growing them in the presence of 30 microM catechol for 5 days. Resistance was transient in that cellular sensitivity to mafosfamide was fully restored after only a few days when the inducing agent was removed from the culture medium. The operative enzyme was identified as a type-1 ALDH-3. Cellular levels of glutathione S-transferase and DT-diaphorase activities, but not of cytochrome P450 IA1 activity, were also elevated. Other phenolic antioxidants, e.g. hydroquinone and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene, also induced ALDH-3 activity when MCF-7/0 cells were cultured in their presence. Thus, the increased expression of a type-1 ALDH-3 and the other enzymes induced by these agents was most probably the result of transcriptional activation of the relevant genes via antioxidant responsive elements present in their 5'-flanking regions. Cellular levels of ALDH-3 activity were also increased when a number of other human tumor cell lines, e.g. breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-231, breast carcinoma T-47D and colon carcinoma HCT 116b, were cultured in the presence of catechol. These findings should be viewed as greatly expanding the number of recognized environmental and dietary agents that can potentially negatively influence the sensitivity of tumor cells to cyclophosphamide and other oxazaphosphorines.

Human antioxidant-response-element-mediated regulation of type 1 NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase gene expression. Effect of sulfhydryl modifying agents

Human antioxidant-response element (hARE) containing two copies of the AP1/AP1-like elements arranged as inverse repeat is known to mediate basal and beta-naphthoflavone-induced transcription of the type 1 NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) gene. Band-shift assays revealed that beta-naphthoflavone increased binding of nuclear proteins at the hARE. Super shift assays identified Jun-D and c-Fos proteins in the band-shift complexes observed with control and beta-naphthoflavone-treated Hepa-1 nuclear extracts. Hepa-1 cells stably transformed with hARE-tk-chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) recombinant plasmid were used to demonstrate that, in addition to beta-naphthoflavone, a variety of antioxidants, tumor promoters and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) also increased expression of hARE-mediated CAT gene. beta-naphthoflavone induction of the CAT gene expression in Hepa-1 cells was found insensitive to inhibitors of protein kinase C and tyrosine kinases. However, binding of regulatory proteins at the hARE and the CAT gene expression in Hepa-1 cells were increased by dithiothreitol, 2-mercaptoethanol and diamide. Treatment of the Hepa-1 cells with N-ethylmaleimide reduced binding of proteins at the hARE and interfered with expression and beta-naphthoflavone induction of the CAT gene. These results suggested a role of sulfhydryl modification of hARE binding (Jun and Fos) proteins which mediate basal and induced expression of the NQO1 gene. We also report that in-vitro-translated products of the proto-oncogenes, Jun and Fos, bind to the hARE in band-shift assays. The incubation of Jun and Fos proteins with small amounts of nuclear extract from dimethylsulfoxide-treated (control) or beta-naphthoflavone treated Hepa-1 cells prior to band-shift assays increased the binding of Jun and Fos proteins to the hARE. Interestingly, the increase in binding of Jun and Fos proteins to the hARE was more prominent with beta-naphthoflavone-treated nuclear extract as compared to the control nuclear extract. In addition, incubation of control nuclear extract with beta-naphthoflavone, microsomes and NADPH increased the binding of Jun and Fos proteins to the hARE. Evidence from in vitro studies indicate the presence of unknown nuclear factor(s) that receive signals from metabolites of beta-naphthoflavone and modulate Jun and Fos binding to the AP1 site contained within the hARE.

Inhibition of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase1 in ethacrynic acid-resistant human colon carcinoma cells

Human colon carcinoma HT29 cells sensitive (WT) and resistant (HT/M and HT/S) to ethacrynic acid (EA) were used to investigate the role of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1) in drug resistance. Significant decreases in the levels of NQO1 activity were observed in resistant cells as compared with the sensitive cells. However, the decreased activities of NQO1 in resistant cells were found to be due to inhibition of the enzyme by EA. Human NQO1 cDNA-derived protein in monkey kidney COS1 cell extract was used to demonstrate that in vitro inhibition of NQO1 activity by EA was rapid, reversible and concentration dependent, with an IC50 value of 250 microM. These results suggest that NQO1 may not have a role in EA resistance of human colon carcinoma HT29 cells and that EA is an inhibitor of NQO1 activity.