Conversion of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts to fat cells by an inhibitor of methylation: effect of 3-deazaadenosine.

3-Deazaadenosine, an inhibitor of methylation, increased the frequency of conversion of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts to fat cells in a dose-dependent manner. Once converted, the 3T3-L1 fat cells retained their adipose morphology and accumulated triglycerides even when 3-deazaadenosine was removed from the culture medium. 3-Deazaadenosine may perturb cellular methylation and thereby lead to an increase in the frequency of differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts to fat cells.

Methylation increases sodium transport into A6 apical membrane vesicles: possible mode of aldosterone action.

When isolated apical membrane vesicles prepared from cultured A6 epithelia were incubated in vitro with the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine, the control rate of amiloride-inhibitable sodium transport was doubled. The methylation inhibitors 3-deazaadenosine and S-adenosyl homocysteine returned the S-adenosyl-methionine-stimulated sodium transport to control levels. Neither these agents nor adenosine affected sodium transport into control vesicles. In vesicles incubated with S-adenosyl-[3H-methyl]methionine, both membrane phospholipids and proteins were labeled, and this labeling was inhibited by deazaadenosine. In vesicles prepared from A6 cells treated with aldosterone, sodium transport was twice the control value and S-adenosylmethionine did not cause any further stimulation of transport. In those vesicles, both lipid and protein methylation were increased. These results suggest that methylation, which increases the rate of amiloride-sensitive sodium transport is involved in the action of aldosterone at the apical membrane level in epithelia.

Induction of HL-60 cell differentiation by 3-deaza-(+/-)-aristeromycin, an inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase.

The metabolically stable inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AdoHcyase), 3-deaza-(+/-)-aristeromycin (dzAri) has recently been shown to induce differentiation in HL-60 cells. The present study was undertaken to characterize the cytostatic, cytotoxic, and differentiation inducing properties of dzAri in HL-60 cells and to investigate biochemical consequences of AdoHcyase inhibition. A dye exclusion test and a clonogenic assay were used to test cytotoxic and cytostatic properties. dzAri had reversible cytostatic effects on HL-60 cells at concentrations lower than 10 microM and partially reversible cytotoxic effects above 10 microM. The induction of differentiation was dependent upon concentration and time of exposure, with maximal effect after 6 days incubation with 5-10 microM dzAri. Washout experiments demonstrated that the cells were not committed to differentiation after 48 h of incubation with dzAri. The AdoHcyase of HL-60 cells was inhibited with a Ki of 20 nM. The concentration of S-adenosylhomocysteine increased dose dependently 48 h after incubation with 0.1-100 microM dzAri. The incorporation of [3H]methyl from [methyl-3H]methionine into 5-methylcytosine of DNA was reduced by 26% at 5 microM dzAri. The findings indicate that continuous presence of dzAri is necessary to induce differentiation and inhibit proliferation in HL-60 cells. The inhibition of AdoHcyase perturbs levels of transmethylation metabolites and the incorporation of [3H]methyl into 5-methyl-cytosine of DNA.

Inactivation of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase by nucleosides.

The irreversible inactivation of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase purified from hamster and bovine liver by adenosine analogs substituted in the 5' and 2 positions has been investigated in detail. 5'-Cyano-5'-deoxyadenosine inactivates as potently as 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine (Ara-A). Substitution of the Ara-A at the 2 position by halogens or deleting N at the 3 position decreases its potency. Although weak, 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine can also inactivate the enzyme. The irreversible inactivation of the hydrolase in rat hepatocytes incubated with 2-chloroadenosine or 3-deaza-Ara-A could be demonstrated, concomitant with increases in 35S-labeled S-adenosylhomocysteine and S-adenosylmethionine in the hepatocytes.

Biological effects of inhibitors of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase.

S-Adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy), formed after the donation of the methyl group of S-adenosylmethionine to a methyl acceptor, is hydrolyzed to adenosine and homocysteine by AdoHcy hydrolase physiologically. The administration of the inhibitors of AdoHcy hydrolase to cells or animals normally results in an accumulation of cellular AdoHcy higher than those found in controls, which is often accompanied by a simultaneous rise in S-adenosylmethionine because of the feedback inhibition by AdoHcy on most methylation reactions. AdoHcy hydrolase has become a tantalizing pharmacological target for inhibition since its blockade can affect cellular methylation of phospholipids, proteins, small molecules, DNA, and RNA. Indeed, all of these different methylation reactions have been found to be inhibitable by the nucleoside inhibitors/substrates of AdoHcy hydrolase. Among the interesting effects are the activation of genes, induction of cellular differentiation, increased expression of transcription factors, and sometimes the repression of genes. Furthermore, some of the nucleosides show remarkable antiviral activities in vitro and in vivo. However, the mode of action of the inhibitors appears complex. Although the inhibition of methylation might account for some of the biological effects, the ability of some of the nucleoside inhibitors to undergo metabolic phosphorylation to nucleotides may account for part of their biological activities. The defining mode of action responsible for their biological effects still awaits biochemical elaboration, especially regarding their antiviral effects, induction of genes, or cellular differentiation.

Differential allosteric effects of 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate-HCl (TMB-8) on muscarinic receptor subtypes.

TMB-8, a putative inhibitor of intracellular calcium mobilization, prevents the binding of the muscarinic ligand N-[3H]methylscopolamine. The inhibition was observed in four tissues from guinea pig; cortex, heart, pancreas, and ileum, representing M1, cardiac M2, glandular M2, and heterogeneous M2 subtypes of muscarinic receptors, respectively. The Ki values for all four tissues were approx. 4 microM. However, dissociation kinetics revealed that TMB-8 interacted with an allosteric site of three muscarinic receptor subtypes but not the subtype from pancreas. These results indicate that TMB-8 interacts with muscarinic receptors, and therefore would disrupt calcium mobilization or any second messenger system coupled to these receptors.

A microtechnique for quantification of detergent-solubilized muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors using a semi-automated cell harvestor.

A specific method for the rapid assay of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR), either detergent-solubilized or in neuroblastoma cells, is described. This method is also applicable to the assay of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The procedure employs a cell harvestor and microtiter plates, and has the advantage of requiring small quantities of radioligand, microgram quantities of detergent-solubilized cholinergic receptor or less cells. The binding parameters such as the equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) of mAChR and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and inhibition constants (Ki) for antagonists determined by the present method are in excellent agreement with values determined by other methods. This assay procedure for mAChR and nAChR should facilitate the rapid screening of cholinergic agonists/antagonists and also the further purification and characterization of mAChR.

Interactions between nitrogen oxide-containing compounds and peripheral benzodiazepine receptors.

Nitrogen oxide-containing compounds displaced the peripheral benzodiazepine ligand [3H]Ro5-4864 from guinea pig membrane preparations. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was the most potent (IC50 = 5.61 +/- 1.72 x 10(-5) M). Moreover, its ability to bind to these receptors showed marked tissue variability (heart greater than kidney much greater than cerebral cortex). When tested on rat atrium, SNP by itself had no effect on basal inotropy or the increase in inotropy induced by (-)-S-BAY K 8644. In contrast, Ro5-4864 potentiated the marked increase in inotropy induced by (-)-S-Bay K 8644, and SNP completely abolished the potentiation of inotropy observed with Ro5-4864. Since peripheral benzodiazepine receptors are associated with calcium mobilization in the heart, these findings may indicate that some of the clinical effects of nitric oxide-generating drugs could be mediated by these receptors.

Inhibition of muscarinic receptor binding and acetylcholine-induced contraction of guinea pig ileum by analogues of 5'-(isobutylthio)adenosine.

(Isobutylthio)adenosine (SIBA, 1) and its derivatives have been shown to produce a variety of biological effects on the basis of the hypothesis that such agents act directly as inhibitors of transmethylation reactions, as inhibitors of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, or as inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis. We report here the ability of selected analogues of SIBA to inhibit the binding of the muscarinic antagonist quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) to cultured N4TG1 neuroblastoma cells and to antagonize the acetylcholine-induced contraction of guinea pig ileum. The most potent inhibitors were 5'-deoxy-5'-(isobutylthio)-1-deazaadenosine (1-deaza-SIBA, 5) and 5'-deoxy-5'-(isobutylthio)-3-deazaadenosine (3-deaza SIBA, 3), while the parent nucleoside SIBA and the carbocyclic derivative 5'-(isobutylthio)-3-deazaaristeromycin were less active. The same agents had no effect on the nicotinic receptors of NG108-15 neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cells. The acyclic derivative 9-[[2-(isobutylthio)ethoxy]methyl]adenine, 3-deazaadenosine, 5'-(isobutylthio)tubercidin, and 5'-(isobutylamino)adenosine were inactive at the 1-mM level. These results suggest that SIBA and 3-deaza-SIBA may have profound effect on membrane-mediated phenomenon, including inhibition of muscarinic receptor binding.

6-Methyl-6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3 alpha-ol 2,2-diphenylpropionate (azaprophen), a highly potent antimuscarinic agent.

The synthesis and antimuscarinic properties of 6-methyl-6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3 alpha-ol 2,2-diphenylpropionate (1, azaprophen) are described. Azaprophen is 50 times more potent than atropine as an antimuscarinic agent as measured by the inhibition of acetylcholine-induced contraction of guinea pig ileum and is more than 1000 times better than atropine in its ability to block alpha-amylase release from pancreatic acini cells induced by carbachol. In addition, azaprophen is 27 times more potent than atropine as an inhibitor of binding of [N-methyl-3H]scopolamine to muscarinic receptors, with human IMR-30 neuroblastoma cells. The potencies of azaprophen and atropine in altering operant behavior were similar. The structural features of 1 are compared to the standard anticholinergic drugs atropine and quinuclidinyl benzilate by using energy calculations and molecular modelling studies. A modification of the pharmacophore model hypothesis for cholinergic agents is suggested.

Binary antidotes for organophosphate poisoning: aprophen analogues that are both antimuscarinics and carbamates.

Prophylaxis against organophosphate poisoning can be achieved by pretreatment with physostigmine or pyridostigmine, which are carbamates, and aprophen, which is an anticholinergic agent. Thus, a series of aprophen analogues was synthesized with carbamyl substitutions on the phenyl rings (carbaphens). The rationale behind this design is that such compounds might exhibit most of the therapeutic characteristics of aprophen, as well as the ability to protect prophylactically by chemically masking cholinesterase enzymes. Compounds 4 (dimethylhydroxycarbaphen), 15 (dimethylcarbaphen), and 16 (monomethylcarbaphen) were found to inactivate human butyrylcholinesterase in a time-dependent manner with potencies similar to those of physostigmine or pyridostigmine, and the latter two exhibited almost the same antimuscarinic profile as aprophen. In contrast to the potent inactivation of butyrylcholinesterase by these compounds, marginal inactivation of acetylcholinesterase activity was observed, and only at much higher drug concentrations. The noncarbamylated analogues had no effect on the activity of either cholinesterase. The carbaphen compounds are hence prototype drugs that can interact with either muscarinic receptors or butyrylcholinesterase. Furthermore, these compounds are prodrugs, since after carbamylation of the cholinesterase, the leaving group 14 (hydroxyaprophen) is a potent antimuscarinic itself.

Muscarinic receptor subtype specificity of (N,N-dialkylamino)alkyl 2-cyclohexyl-2-phenylpropionates: cylexphenes (cyclohexyl-substituted aprophen analogues).

A series of aprophen [(N,N-diethylamino)ethyl 2,2-diphenylpropionate] analogues, called cylexphenes, were synthesized with alterations in (1) the chain length of the amine portion of the ester, (2) the alkyl groups on the amino alcohol, and (3) a cyclohexyl group replacing one of the phenyl rings. The antimuscarinic activities of these analogues were assessed in two pharmacological assays: the inhibition of acetylcholine-induced contraction of guinea pig ileum, and the blocking of carbachol-stimulated release of alpha-amylase from rat pancreatic acinar cells. These two tissues represent the M3(ileum) and M3(pancreas) muscarinic receptor subtypes. In addition, the analogues were also evaluated for their competitive inhibition of the binding of [3H]NMS to selected cell membranes, each containing only one of the m1, M2, m3, or M4 muscarinic receptor subtypes. The m1 and m3 receptors were stably transfected into A9 L cells. The replacement of one phenyl group of aprophen with a cyclohexyl group increased the selectivity of all the analogues for the pancreatic acinar muscarinic receptor subtype over the ileum subtype by more than 10-fold, with the (N,N-dimethylamino)propyl analogue exhibiting the greatest selectivity for the pancreas receptor subtype, over 30-fold. The cylexphenes also showed a decrease in potency in comparison to the parent compound when examined for the binding of [3H]NMS to the M2 subtype. In agreement with the pharmacological data obtained from the pancreas, the (N,N-dimethylamino)propyl cylexphene 3 demonstrated the greatest selectivity for the m3 subtype, and additionally showed a preference for the m1 and M4 receptor subtypes over the M2 receptor subtype in the binding assay. Thus, this compound showed a potent selectivity according to the pharmacological and binding assays between the muscarinic receptor subtypes of the pancreas and ileum. In both the pharmacological and binding assays, the potency of the analogues decreased markedly when the chain length and the bond distance between the carbonyl oxygen and protonated nitrogen were increased beyond three methylene groups. When the structures of these analogues were analyzed using a molecular modeling program, the bond distance between the carbonyl oxygen and protonated nitrogen was deduced to be more important for the antagonist activity than subtype specificity.

Biological activity and a modified synthesis of 8-amino-3-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazine, an isomer of formycin.

A two-step synthesis of 8-amino-3-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazine (3), which is an isomer of formycin that resembles 3-deazaadenosine, is reported. Compound 3 is also described as as being a very poor substrate for adenosine deaminase and to be both a competitive and an irreversible inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteinase in the synthesis direction. L1210 cell growth in culture was inhibited by 3. Compound 3 was not converted to the nucleotide level in erythrocytes but was found to inhibit both the cellular uptake of nucleic acid precursors and their incorporation into the nucleic acids of L1210 cells. Finally, 3 was found to be a weak antiviral agent and coronary vasodilator.

Carbocyclic analogue of 3-deazaadenosine: a novel antiviral agent using S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase as a pharmacological target.

The carbocyclic analogue of 3-deazaadenosine (3-deaza-C-Ado) has been synthesized and found to have antiviral activity in cell culture against herpes simplex virus type 1, vaccinia virus, and HL-23 C-type virus. It is relatively noncytotoxic at effective antiviral concentrations and is not subject to deamination or phosphorylation. It acts as a competitive inhibitor of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase, is at best a poor substrate, and does not inactivate the enzyme significantly. 3-Deaza-C-Ado may cause a selective inhibition of the methylation of the polynucleotide 5' cap of viral mRNA via higher cellular concentrations of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine, resulting from the inhibition of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase in infected cells, since increases in the intracellular level of S-adenosylhomocysteine, but no effects on DNA or RNA synthesis, were observed after incubation of these cells with it.

Inhibition of histamine release and phosphatidylcholine metabolism by 5'-deoxy-5'-isobutylthio-3-deazaadenosine.

3-deaza-SIBA, a postulated analogue of S-adenosylhomocysteine, inhibited the IgE-mediated histamine release and blocked both the choline uptake by the rat basophilic leukemia cells and the incorporation of choline into phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine. Unlike inhibitors of methylation which inhibit only dextran- and IgE-mediated reactions, 3-deaza-SIBA also blocked the histamine release from mast cells induced by other secretagogues, such as compound 48/80, ionophore A23187, polymyxin B and ATP. 3-Deaza-SIBA may perturb membrane functions of basophilic leukemia cells and mast cells by inhibiting the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine via choline incorporation, the turnover of which is probably required for cellular degranulation and the release of histamine. Previous studies with 3-deaza-SIBA have been mainly interpreted in terms of its structural similarity to S-adenosylhomocysteine and its potential use as an inhibitor of methylation reactions. In light of our present findings, experiments utilizing 3-deaza-SIBA as a biochemical probe have to be carefully interpreted.

Inhibition of substrate oxidation in mitochondria by the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor ligand AHN 086.

The effects, of the benzodiazepines RO5-4864, AHN 086, PK 11195 and clonazepam on respiration of mitochondria from heart, kidney, and liver were studied. ADP-stimulated respiration of heart mitochondria was the most sensitive to inhibition by AHN 086; clonazepam was not inhibitory. Several respiratory chain segment activities of submitochondrial particles were insensitive to AHN 086, except for NADH oxidase which was partially inhibited. However, in contrast to submitochondrial particles, the succinate-cytochrome c oxidoreductase activity in intact mitochondria was inhibited by AHN 086, suggesting an effect at the substrate transport level. Phosphate-induced, succinate-dependent swelling was also inhibited by AHN 086 it was not affected by clonazepam. Uncoupled ATP hydrolysis was partially inhibited by RO5-4864, AHN 086, and clonazepam. It is suggested that there is an unspecific inhibition of NADH oxidase and ATP hydrolysis by these benzodiazepines and a specific inhibition on oxidizable substrate transport by the peripheral-type benzodiazepine AHN 086.

Aprophit: an irreversible antagonist for muscarinic receptors.

The development of selective irreversible ligands has proven to be an invaluable technique for the isolation, purification and characterization of many receptor proteins. An isothiocyanato-derivative of the muscarinic antagonist aprophen was synthesized and evaluated as a potential irreversible ligand for muscarinic receptors. This compound (aprophit) displaced [3H]N-methylscopolamine binding from rat cerebral cortex with a Ki of 3.1 x 10(-7) M. The inhibition was concentration-dependent and could not be reversed by extensive washing. Aprophit inhibited the acetylcholine-stimulated release of catecholamines from isolated, perfused guinea pig adrenal glands in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibition was not reversed by perfusing the tissue with Locke's solution and was not due to a non-selective acylation by the isothiocyanate function. The data suggest that aprophit is selectively acylating muscarinic receptor proteins and thus may be useful in their further characterization.

Apoptosis of L1210 Leukemia Cells Induced by 3-Deazaadenosine Analogs: Differential Expression of c-myc, NF-Kappa B and Molecular Events.

A new class of potent apogens (apoptosis-inducing agents) has been identified, consisting of 3-deazaadenosine (DZA), 3-deaza-(+/-)aristeromycin (DZAri) and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-&cumacr;]pyridine (ara-3-deazaadenine; DZAra-A). They are inhibitors of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase and indirect inhibitors of methylation. Furthermore, they have also been found to form 3-deaza-nucleotide analogs. The DZA analogs, DZA, DZAri, and DZAra-A, induced DNA fragmentation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, reaching a maximum at 250 &mgr;M after 72 h. Cycloheximide at 0.5 &mgr;g/ml completely blocked the DNA fragmentation induced by 250 &mgr;M of each of the analogs. Interestingly, exogenous 100 &mgr;M L-homocysteine thiolactone abrogated the DNA fragmentation caused by DZAri and DZAra-A, but not by DZA. Flow cytometric analysis showed that DZA arrested the cells in the G(2)/M phase, whereas the S phase was arrested by DZAri. Correlated with the effect of DZA was a rapid decrease in the expression of c-myc, whereas nur77 and GAPDH were unaffected. In comparison, there was an elevated expression of IFN-gamma mRNA without apparent change in bax, p53 or GAPDH mRNA after 24 h. After treatment with DZA, there was an elevated expression of NF-kappaB DNA binding activity, which became more pronounced at 24 h. Simultaneously, there was an apparent disappearance of AP-1 activity. Thus, DZA most likely inhibited the RNA synthesis of c-myc, a reduction of which could trigger a cascade of gene transcription leading to apoptosis in L1210 cells. Copyright 1997 S. Karger AG, Basel

Antihuman Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) Activities of Inhibitors of Polyamine Pathways.

Four inhibitors of polyamine biosynthetic pathways were tested for their effect on HIV-1 replication in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Methyl acetylenic putrescine (MAP) and alpha-monofluoromethyldehydroornithine methyl ester, irreversible inhibitors of ornithine decarboxylase, inhibited the production of p24 antigen in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells by clinical HIV-1 strains isolated from HIV-infected patients with IC(50) values of about 1-2 &mgr;M. 5'--5'-deoxyadenosine (MDL 73811), an enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitor of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) decarboxylase, also inhibited the production of p24 antigen by HIV-1 strains in peripheral blood mononuclear cells with IC(50) values of 1-2 &mgr;M. The least potent was 1-aminoxyethylamine which is another inhibitor of AdoMet decarboxylase. MAP showed the best therapeutic index of 500-1,000. Copyright 1996 S. Karger AG, Basel

Induction of Apoptosis and c-myc in L1210 Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells by Adenosine.

High concentrations of adenosine (Ado), when added to L1210 lymphocytic leukemia cells, resulted in apoptosis or programmed cell death. The apoptotic process was accompanied by distinct morphological changes including chromatin condensation and blebbing of plasma membranes. Extensive DNA fragmentation was correlated with Ado concentrations. Furthermore, apoptosis in these cells was preceded by an early but transient expression of c-myc proto-oncogene, and was not influenced by homocysteine thiolactone added to the cells. Since severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is associated with a deficiency of adenosine deaminase, leading to defects in both cellular and humoral immunity, Ado-induced apoptosis may thus be a contributing factor in the pathology of SCID. Copyright 1994 S. Karger AG, Basel