An improved method of counting radioactive nucleotides on DEAE-paper disks

Rapid determination of thymidylate synthase activity and its inhibition in intact L1210 leukemia cells in vitro

A rapid and convenient tritium release assay for measuring thymidylate (dTMP) synthase activity and its inhibition within intact mammalian cells is described in detail. Short-term incubation of murine leukemia L1210 cells with an appropriately labeled substrate precursor, either deoxyuridine ([5-3H]dUrd) or deoxycytidine ([5-3H]dCyd), allowed for: (1) uptake and intracellular conversion to the substrate deoxyuridylate ([5-3H]dUMP); and (2) the obligatory displacement of tritium from [5-3H]-dUMP during the dTMP synthase catalyzed reaction. Tritium released into the aqueous environment was quantitated after a quick one-step separation of tritiated H2O from other radiolabeled materials and cell debris. The amount of tritium released was evaluated as a function of a number of variables, including the concentration of labeled substrate precursors, cell number, and incubation time. Tritium from [5-3H]dCyd was released significantly faster than from [5-3H]dUrd under a variety of conditions. Both 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (1 microM) and methotrexate (10 microM), which effectively block intracellular dTMP synthesis, completely inhibited the release of tritium from either [5-3H]dCyd or [5-3H]dUrd demonstrating that the release of tritium is mediated exclusively by the dTMP synthase catalyzed reaction. In addition, there was a good correlation between tritium release, cellular uptake, and incorporation of [2-14C]dUrd into DNA. The inhibitory effects of antifolates such as methotrexate were independent of the type of labeled precursor used. In contrast, preferential interference with the release of tritium from [5-3H]-dCyd by dCyd derivatives and from [5-3H]dUrd by dUrd derivatives was observed, suggesting that competition for uptake and/or phosphorylation may contribute to the overall effects of certain nucleoside analogues on cellular dTMP synthase activity measured using the tritium release assay.

5-azacytidine induction of thymidine kinase in a spontaneously enzyme-deficient murine tumor line

During the course of our studies on murine tumor cell metastases, one of our variant lines (called L61-M) was found to be unable to incorporate [methyl-3H]thymidine into DNA, due to a spontaneous deficiency in thymidine kinase (TK) activity. L61-M cells are unable to proliferate in HAT selection medium and are resistant to bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). TK activity in L61-M cells is 4.2% of that found in the wild-type parental MDAY-D2 cell line. Treatment of L61-M with 5-azacytidine, a known inducer of DNA hypomethylation, resulted in the expression of TK activity. These observations suggest that the TK deficiency in the L61-M cell line was due in part to an alteration in the methylation pattern of DNA, resulting in the diminished expression of the TK gene. These results demonstrate the ability of 5-azacytidine to induce TK activity in a spontaneously enzyme-deficient murine tumor cell line.

Determination of pyrimidine phosphoribosyltransferase and uridine kinase activities by an assay with DEAE-paper discs

Rapid (6 min washing step) and reliable methods for determining uridine kinase and pyrimidine phosphoribosyltransferase activities were devised. These procedures, consisting of a spotting technique on DEAE-discs followed by washing and elution, permitted the consistent recovery of about 90% of the nucleoside 5'-phosphate esters formed from radioactive precursors, either uridine or 5-fluorouracil, respectively. Of these precursors, less than 2% were retained on the discs. Direct counting of the discs (without elution), filtration by either gravity or suction, and the use of so-called activation of discs have not proved advantageous.

Characterization of thymidine kinase and phosphorylation of deoxyribonucleosides in Chlamydomonas reinhardti

Using gel filtration chromatography, we find a single peak of deoxythymidine phosphorylating activity in Chlamydomonas reinhardti. This activity has characteristics of a thymidine kinase, in that (1) it will utilize ATP (or dATP) or CTP (or dCTP) as phosphoryl donor, but not AMP or phenyl phosphate, and (2) it is inhibited by dTTP (and less so by dTDP, dUTP, and dUDP) but is unaffected by 3'-5' cyclic AMP. Partially purified chlamydomonas thymidine kinase has a pH optimum near 8.5, and a molecular weight of 80,000 to 85,000 daltons. Kinetic studies indicate a ping-pong mechanism with a Km for thymidine of 1.5 x 10(-7) moles per liter. 5-Bromo- and 5-fluorodeoxyuridine, and to a lesser degree deoxyuridine, are competitive inhibitors, but significant phosphorylation of these nucleotides could not be demonstrated in vitro by thymidine kinase. While thymidine is phosphorylated to dTMP by crude Chlamydomonas extracts, greater than 80% of the product formed by the partially purified enzyme is dTTP. Further, the gel filtration elution position of the single deoxythymidylate kinase activity present in cell extracts coincides with that of thymidine kinase. These results suggest that a multifunctional enzyme, rather than three separate phosphorylating activities, may be responsible for dTTP formation.

Effects of thyroxine on postnatal cell acquisition in the rat brain

The effects of treatment with L-thyroxine (3 micrograms by subcutaneous injection daily from birth) on cell acquisition in the rat brain were studied during the first 3 postnatal weeks. In the forebrain, thyroxine has no effect on cell proliferation in the first 6 days, but it causes decreased cell acquisition from 12 to 21 days so that cell number becomes significantly reduced. Estimates of cell proliferation kinetics and of cell death in the lateral ventricular subependymal layer show no apparent abnormality. In the cerebellum, treatment from birth leads to increased cell proliferation during the first week: in comparison with controls, the rate of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA, thymidine kinase activity, and the number of cells both in the major germinal site (external granular layer: EGL) and in the whole cerebellum are elevated. This initial effect of thyroxine appears by day 3 and is short-lived, being no longer evident after day 6. The build-up of cell numbers in the EGL at day 6 seems to be related to a preceding, transient retardation of cell migration from this layer rather than to an acceleration of cell replication, since cell cycle parameters are normal. From day 12 the rate of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA is severely reduced in treated rats. Advancement of cellular differentiation rather than increased cell death in the EGL appears to be involved in this phenomenon.

Effect of diabetes and fasting on the uridine triphosphate content and uridine kinase activity of rat cardiac and skeletal muscle

The influence of diabetes and starvation on uracil nucleotide metabolism in muscle was studied. It was found that the uridine triphosphate (UTP) content of heart and diaphragm muscle was decreased in fasted and streptozotocin-diabetic rats and that insulin treatment of diabetic animals restored the UTP concentration to normal levels. The ATP content of heart tissue was not altered under these conditions. It was also demonstrated that hemidiaphragms from streptozotocin-diabetic rats synthesized less UTP from uridine in vitro than hemidiaphragms from normal animals. Uridine kinase activity of extracts of cardiac and skeletal muscle from fasted and diabetic rats was lower than the activity found in extracts from control animals. It was concluded that uracil nucleotide synthesis by the salvage pathway is decreased in experimental diabetes and fasting.