Absence of a requirement for long-range DNA torsional strain in the production of protein-associated DNA strand breaks in isolated mammalian cell nuclei by the DNA intercalating agent 4′-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidide (m-AMSA)

Significance and measurement of DNA double strand breaks in mammalian cells

Techniques for measuring DNA double strand breaks in mammalian cells are being used increasingly by researchers studying both physiological processes, such as recombination, replication, and apoptosis, as well as pathological processes, such as clastogenesis induced by ionizing radiation, chemotherapeutic drugs, and chemical toxicants. In this review we evaluate commonly used assays for measuring DNA double strand breaks, focusing on neutral filter elution and pulsed field gel electrophoresis, and explore the advantages and limitations of applying these techniques to problems of current interest in carcinogenesis and genetic toxicology.

Role of DNA intercalation in the inhibition of purified mouse leukemia (L1210) DNA topoisomerase II by 9-aminoacridines

An attempt was made to analyze the mechanism by which 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidide (m-AMSA) inhibits mammalian DNA topoisomerase II. The effects of various 9-aminoacridine derivatives differing by their DNA affinities and DNA sequence selectivity of binding were compared in the presence of purified mouse leukemia L1210 DNA topoisomerase II. No correlation was found between DNA unwinding and topoisomerase II inhibition. 9-Aminoacridine was inactive as a topoisomerase II inhibitor and o-AMSA was only weakly active. The location of L1210 topoisomerase II mediated DNA breaks produced in the absence or presence of 9-aminoacridines were studied in [32P]-end-labeled pBR 322 DNA. All 9-aminoacridines, even those differing by their DNA sequence selectivity of binding, produced similar DNA cleavage patterns. Most drug-induced topoisomerase II mediated DNA breaks appeared at sites that were already cleaved by the enzyme in the absence of drug. The present results suggest that 9-aminoacridines inhibit L1210 DNA topoisomerase II by interacting at or near enzyme-DNA complexes by some unknown DNA effect or by direct protein interaction.

DNA topoisomerase II: a primer on the enzyme and its unique role as a multidrug target in cancer chemotherapy

Based on the weight of evidence accrued in the past eight years, there is little question that the nuclear enzyme, topoisomerase II, serves as a common intracellular target for the cytotoxic effect of drugs of widely varying structure. The enzyme appears to be unique as a chemotherapy target in that it is recruited into a lethal process under the influence of drug. Its role contrasts sharply with other more classical chemotherapy targets, such as dihydrofolate reductase, whose activity must be successfully inhibited for the expression of cytotoxicity. Resistance to inhibitors of this enzyme frequently results from marked elevations in intracellular enzyme content. In contrast, the presence of topoisomerase is required for drug effect, and, in general, the greater the cellular content of the enzyme, the more sensitive the cell will be to these agents. However, important issues remain unresolved. The biochemical events that are initiated by cleavable complex formation and result in cell death must be more fully defined. It is likely a better understanding of the drug-enzyme interaction will be required for rational drug development. Finally, those aspects of the drug-topoisomerase interaction that confer therapeutic selectivity and/or clinical resistance are of paramount importance if the phenomenon is ever to be fully exploited.