Imiquimod directly inhibits Hedgehog signalling by stimulating adenosine receptor/protein kinase A-mediated GLI phosphorylation.

Imiquimod (IMQ), a nucleoside analogue of the imidazoquinoline family, is used in the topical treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and other skin diseases. It is reported to be a TLR7 and TLR8 agonist and, as such, initiates a Th1 immune response by activating sentinel cells in the vicinity of the tumour. BCC is a hedgehog (HH)-driven malignancy with oncogenic glioma-associated oncogene (GLI) signalling activated in a ligand-independent manner. Here we show that IMQ can also directly repress HH signalling by negatively modulating GLI activity in BCC and medulloblastoma cells. Further, we provide evidence that the repressive effect of IMQ on HH signalling is not dependent on TLR/MYD88 signalling. Our results suggest a mechanism for IMQ engaging adenosine receptors (ADORAs) to control GLI signalling. Pharmacological activation of ADORA with either an ADORA agonist or IMQ resulted in a protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated GLI phosphorylation and reduction in GLI activator levels. The activation of PKA and HH pathway target gene downregulation in response to IMQ were abrogated by ADORA inhibition. Furthermore, activated Smoothened signalling, which positively signals to GLI transcription factors, could be effectively counteracted by IMQ. These results reveal a previously unknown mode of action of IMQ in the treatment of BCC and also suggest a role for ADORAs in the regulation of oncogenic HH signalling.

Toll-like receptor 2-deficient mice are protected from insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction induced by a high-fat diet.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Inflammation contributes to both insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell failure in human type 2 diabetes. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are highly conserved pattern recognition receptors that coordinate the innate inflammatory response to numerous substances, including NEFAs. Here we investigated a potential contribution of TLR2 to the metabolic dysregulation induced by high-fat diet (HFD) feeding in mice. METHODS: Male and female littermate Tlr2(+/+) and Tlr2(-/-) mice were analysed with respect to glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion and energy metabolism on chow and HFD. Adipose, liver, muscle and islet pathology and inflammation were examined using molecular approaches. Macrophages and dendritic immune cells, in addition to pancreatic islets were investigated in vitro with respect to NEFA-induced cytokine production. RESULTS: While not showing any differences in glucose homeostasis on chow diet, both male and female Tlr2(-/-) mice were protected from the adverse effects of HFD compared with Tlr2(+/+) littermate controls. Female Tlr2(-/-) mice showed pronounced improvements in glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion following 20 weeks of HFD feeding. These effects were associated with an increased capacity of Tlr2(-/-) mice to preferentially burn fat, combined with reduced tissue inflammation. Bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells and pancreatic islets from Tlr2(-/-) mice did not increase IL-1beta expression in response to a NEFA mixture, whereas Tlr2(+/+) control tissues did. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: These data suggest that TLR2 is a molecular link between increased dietary lipid intake and the regulation of glucose homeostasis, via regulation of energy substrate utilisation and tissue inflammation.

Evaluation of antileukaemic effects of rapamycin in patients with imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukaemia.

BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is involved in the regulation of growth of neoplastic cells in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We treated six patients with imatinib-resistant CML in haematological relapse (leukocytes > 20,000 microL(-1)) with rapamycin at 2 mg per os daily for 14 consecutive days, with dose-adjustment allowed to reach a target rapamycin serum concentration of 10-20 pg mL(-1). RESULTS: A major leukocyte response with decrease to less than 10,000 microL(-1) was obtained in two patients, and a minor transient response was seen in two other patients. In responding patients, we also observed a decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA levels in circulating leukaemic cells. Side effects during rapamycin treatment were mild in most patients. In one patient, pneumonia developed. Rapamycin was also found to counteract growth of CML cells in vitro as determined by (3)H-thymidine incorporation. Moreover, rapamycin inhibited the growth of Ba/F3 cells exhibiting various imatinib-resistant mutants of BCR/ABL, including the T315I variant that exhibits resistance against most currently available BCR/ABL kinase inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Rapamycin shows antileukaemic effects in imatinib-resistant CML in vitro and in vivo. Larger trials with rapamycin or rapamycin-derivatives in combination with other targeted drugs are warranted to further determine clinical efficacy in CML.

Clinical and prognostic significance of histamine monitoring in patients with CML during treatment with imatinib (STI571).

BACKGROUND: Although imatinib is highly effective in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), drug-resistance may occur. Therefore, monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD) during treatment with imatinib is important. However, most MRD-parameters are expensive and require special technology. We determined the value of histamine as MRD-marker in CML. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Histamine levels were measured serially in whole blood samples before and during imatinib therapy in 80 CML patients by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Histamine levels were highly upregulated in CML at diagnosis compared to healthy controls, and correlated with the presence of basophils. During treatment with imatinib, histamine levels decreased and returned to normal levels in those achieving a complete cytogenetic response (CCR). Loss of CCR during therapy was invariably accompanied by an increase in histamine. Moreover, a histamine level of >100 ng/ml three or six months after start of imatinib was associated with a significantly reduced probability of survival (p<0.05). Whereas basophils were found to correlate well with histamine during imatinib, no correlations were found between histamine and Ph+ metaphases or histamine and BCR/ABL. CONCLUSION: Histamine-monitoring during treatment with imatinib is of prognostic significance.

Liposomal cytarabine for treatment of myeloid central nervous system relapse in chronic myeloid leukaemia occurring during imatinib therapy.

BACKGROUND: Central nervous system (CNS) relapse in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is rare and if recorded is usually found to occur in patients with lymphoblastic transformation. The BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib is highly effective in patients with CML, but hardly crosses the blood-brain barrier. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report on two CML patients who developed a myeloid CNS relapse during treatment with imatinib. One patient was in major cytogenetic response at the time of CNS relapse. In both cases, the myeloid origin of neoplastic cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was demonstrable by immunophenotyping, and their leukaemic origin by detection of the BCR/ABL oncoprotein. No BCR/ABL kinase domain mutations were found. Both patients received intrathecal liposomal cytarabine (50 mg each cycle; 6 cycles). In one patient, additional CNS radiation was performed, whereas in the other, consecutive treatment with dasatinib (70 mg per os twice daily) was started. RESULTS: In response to therapy, the clinical symptoms resolved, and the leukaemic cells in the CSF disappeared in both cases. After three months of observation, both patients are in complete cytogenetic and major molecular response, without evidence for a systemic or a CNS relapse. CONCLUSIONS: 'Anatomic' resistance against imatinib in the CNS can lead to a myeloid CNS relapse. Liposomal cytarabine with or without radiation is effective as local therapy in these patients. For systemic treatment and prophylaxis, BCR/ABL kinase inhibitors crossing the blood-brain barrier such as dasatinib should be considered in patients with CNS relapse.

Mesenchymal stem cells in patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia or bi-phenotypic Ph+ acute leukaemia are not related to the leukaemic clone.

BACKGROUND: Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are thought to be multipotent cells which primarily reside in the bone marrow. Besides their well-known ability to replicate as undifferentiated cells and to differentiate into diverse lineages of mesenchymal tissues, they were recently suggested to also give rise to haematopoietic and leukaemic/cancer stem cells. In this study, the relationship between MSCs and leukemic stem cells in patients with either chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) or the more primitive variant, Ph+ bi-phenotypic leukaemia was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cultured MSCs from 5 patients with CML and 3 patients with bi-phenotypic Ph+ leukaemia, all of them positive for BCP-ABL, were analysed with conventional cytogenetics, fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of t(9;22) and BCR-ABL. MSCs were characterised phenotypically with surface markers (+CD73, +CD90, +CD105, -CD34, -CD45) and functionally through their potential to differentiate into both adipocytes and osteoblasts. RESULTS: MSCs could be cultivated from seven patients. These cells were BCR-ABL negative when analysed with conventional cytogenetics and FISH. Further cytogenetic analysis revealed a normal set of chromosomes without any aberrations. Two patients were BCR-ABL-positive when analysed with PCR, probably as a result of MSC contamination with macrophages. CONCLUSION: MSCs in patients with CML or Ph+ bi-phenotypic leukaemia are not related to the malignant cell clone.

A common polymorphism in the promoter of UCP2 is associated with decreased risk of obesity in middle-aged humans.

Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in Western society. Uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) is a recently identified member of the mitochondrial transporter superfamily that is expressed in many tissues, including adipose tissue. Like its close relatives UCP1 and UCP3, UCP2 uncouples proton entry in the mitochondrial matrix from ATP synthesis and is therefore a candidate gene for obesity. We show here that a common G/A polymorphism in the UCP2 promoter region is associated with enhanced adipose tissue mRNA expression in vivo and results in increased transcription of a reporter gene in the human adipocyte cell line PAZ-6. In analyzing 340 obese and 256 never-obese middle-aged subjects, we found a modest but significant reduction in obesity prevalence associated with the less-common allele. We confirmed this association in a population-based sample of 791 middle-aged subjects from the same geographic area. Despite its modest effect, but because of its high frequency (approximately 63%), the more-common risk allele conferred a relatively large population-attributable risk accounting for 15% of the obesity in the population studied.

UCP3 gene expression does not correlate with muscle oxidation rates in troglitazone-treated Zucker fatty rats.

Uncoupling protein-3 (UCP3), a mitochondrial carrier protein predominantly expressed in muscle, has been suggested to release stored energy as heat. The insulin-sensitizing thiazolidinediones enhance glucose disposal in skeletal muscle and have been reported to increase the expression of uncoupling proteins in various experimental systems. We therefore studied the effect of troglitazone treatment on UCP3 gene expression in muscles from lean and obese Zucker rats. In comparison with obese littermates, basal UCP3 mRNA levels in lean Zucker rats tended to be higher in white and red gastrocnemius muscles, but were lower in soleus (P<0.001) muscle and heart (P<0.01). In lean rats, troglitazone significantly increased UCP3 gene expression in white and red gastrocnemius and heart muscles (all P<0.01). In contrast, the drug reduced UCP3 mRNA expression in red gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of obese littermates (all P<0.001). The troglitazone-dependent decrease in UCP3 gene expression was accompanied by an increased weight gain in obese rats, while no such effect was observed in lean rats. In obese rats, improvement of insulin resistance by troglitazone was associated with increased rates of basal and insulin-stimulated CO(2) production from glucose measured in soleus muscle. These studies demonstrate that effects of troglitazone on UCP3 gene expression depend on the phenotype of Zucker rats and that troglitazone-induced metabolic improvements are not related to increased uncoupling resulting from upregulation of UCP3 mRNA expression in muscle.

Postprandial lipemia and coronary risk.

A number of cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that the magnitude of postprandial lipemia or single postprandial triglyceride values predict asymptomatic and symptomatic atherosclerosis, independent of risk factors measured in the fasting state. Postprandial lipemia reflects an integrated measure of an individual's triglyceride metabolic capacity. Numerous genetic and environmental factors that are known or suspected to affect triglyceride transport contribute to the magnitude of postprandial lipemia. In this article, mechanisms linking postprandial lipemia with the development and progression of atherosclerosis are described, and determinants of the extent and duration of postprandial lipemia are discussed.

The uncoupling protein-3 gene is transcribed from tissue-specific promoters in humans but not in rodents.

Uncoupling protein-3 (UCP3), a mitochondrial membrane transporter, is a candidate effector of thermogenesis. Even though mice with targeted disruption of the UCP3 gene are not obese, indirect evidence suggests that this protein contributes to the control of energy expenditure in humans. We therefore characterized the human UCP3 gene and compared it with its rodent homologues with respect to tissue-specific expression and regulatory regions. Like rodent UCP3, human UCP3 was expressed in skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue (BAT). The short mRNA isoform, UCP3(S), which is absent in rodents, was relatively more abundant in human skeletal muscle in comparison to human BAT. Two tissue-specific transcription start sites for each skeletal muscle and BAT were delineated for human UCP3. Tissue-specific transcript initiation was maintained in both tissues and cultured cells over a wide range of expression levels. In contrast, rodent transcripts were initiated at the same site in BAT and muscle tissue. Comparison of human and rodent promoters indicated a rapid phylogenetic evolution suggesting functional diversification. The transcription from tissue-specific promoters in humans is a novel finding that may provide the basis for therapeutic interventions aimed at regulating energy expenditure in a tissue-specific fashion.

The Gln27Glu polymorphism in the beta2-adrenergic receptor gene is not associated with morbid obesity in Austrian women.

OBJECTIVE: Beta-adrenergic receptors (betaARs) play an important role in the regulation of energy expenditure and lipid mobilization. A Gl-27Glu polymorphism in the beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) gene has recently been associated with several indices of obesity in a female Caucasian population, while the same polymorphism exhibited no association with obesity in another, albeit male, population. METHODS: We have therefore studied possible associations of the Gln27Glu and the Gly16Arg polymorphisms in the beta2AR with BMI, plasma leptin and UCP-1 mRNA expression in the intraperitoneal adipose tissue in a population of Caucasian women. RESULTS: The frequencies of the Gln27 and the Gly16 alleles as well as the beta2AR haplotypes were similar in our morbidly obese and lean subjects. Furthermore, no association was found between the Gln27Glu or the Gly16Arg polymorphisms and plasma leptin or adipose tissue UCP-1 gene expression in either group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the two polymorphisms in the beta2AR gene studied are not a major factor contributing to obesity in our population.

Leptin, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-alpha mRNA expression in adipose tissue of humans and their relation to cardiovascular risk factors.

Obesity is a prevalent disorder that increases the risk for premature cardiovascular disease. The adipose tissue itself plays an active role in the regulation of fuel metabolism and energy homeostasis by expressing a number of regulatory genes, such as leptin, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma), and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-alpha (C/EBPalpha). To study the in vivo relationships among these genes and their associations with cardiovascular risk factors, plasma levels of leptin, lipids, apolipoproteins (apo), insulin, and glucose were measured in 216 obese, 165 nonobese, and 36 weight-losing postobese subjects. mRNA expression of leptin, PPARgamma, and C/EBPalpha in the extraperitoneal and intraperitoneal adipose tissue was quantified in subsets of subjects. In obese individuals, plasma leptin was associated with apoA-I (r=0.2346, P<0.001) and insulin (r=0.2125, P<0.002). Leptin and C/EBPalpha mRNA expression in extraperitoneal and intraperitoneal adipose tissue of obese patients was higher than in the respective tissues of nonobese or postobese subjects. No significant differences among the study groups were found for PPARgamma mRNA expression. Leptin, PPARgamma, and C/EBPalpha mRNA levels correlated with each other in the intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal fat of obese subjects, but multivariate analysis revealed that only C/EBPalpha was a predictor of leptin expression in extraperitoneal tissue (partial r=0.6096, P<0.001). Intraperitoneal PPARgamma expression was inversely related to fasting insulin (r=-0.2888, P<0.017) and a fasting insulin resistance index (r=-0.2814, P<0.021) in obese subjects. In postobese patients, intraperitoneal PPARgamma expression was associated with plasma HDL cholesterol (r=0.5695, P<0.018) and apoA-I (r=0.6216, P<0.008) but was inversely related to LDL cholesterol (r=-0.5101, P<0.03) and apoB (r=-0.6331, P<0.007). These findings suggest a relationship between plasma leptin and HDL metabolism as well as adipose-tissue site-dependent associations among leptin, C/EBP-alpha, and PPAR-gamma mRNA expression. Furthermore, our results suggest that C/EBP-alpha enhances leptin expression in vivo and that PPARgamma mRNA expression is inversely associated with cardiovascular risk factors.

Human peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 (PPARGC1) gene: cDNA sequence, genomic organization, chromosomal localization, and tissue expression.

Brown adipose and muscle tissues can increase energy expenditure via adaptive thermogenesis, thereby protecting against obesity. Mouse peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 (Pgc1) has been reported to enhance the expression of uncoupling protein-1, a key mediator of thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (Puigserver et al., 1998, Cell 92, 829-839). We report here the characterization of the human PPARGC1 gene. PPARGC1 spans a genomic region of approximately 67 kb, is composed of 13 exons, and encodes a 91-kDa protein that exhibits 94% amino acid identity with the mouse ortholog. mRNA species, transcribed from the TATA-less promoter, are 6.4 and 5.3 kb in length due to utilization of two polyadenylation signals. Northern blotting revealed expression of both transcripts in heart, skeletal muscle, and kidney and to a lesser extent in liver, brain, and pancreas as well as in the perirenal adipose tissue of a pheochromocytoma patient. PPARGC1 was mapped to chromosome 4p15.1, a region that has been associated with basal insulin levels in Pima Indians. Hence, PPARGC1 expression might influence insulin sensitivity as well as energy expenditure, thereby contributing to the development and pathophysiology of human obesity.

Allele-specific differences in apolipoprotein C-III mRNA expression in human liver.

BACKGROUND: Sequence variations at the apolipoprotein (apo)C-III gene locus have been associated with increased plasma triglycerides. In particular, the S2 allele of an SstI polymorphism in the 3' untranslated region has been associated with hypertriglyceridemia in many populations. The aim of this study was to determine whether the variant S2 allele is related to increased mRNA expression in vivo. METHODS: We measured allele-specific apoC-III expression in liver biopsies of five obese subjects, using restriction isotyping and a primer extension method, both based on the SstI polymorphism. RESULTS: The expression of mRNA by the S1 and S2 alleles was similar in two patients, whereas the mRNA encoded by the S2 allele was 14%, 26%, and 29% more abundant than the wild-type mRNA in the remaining three patients. Because other polymorphisms at the apoC-III gene locus have been implicated in the S2-associated hypertriglyceridemia, we determined apoC-III haplotypes comprising promoter polymorphisms at -935, -641, -630, -625, -482, -455, as well as the SstI sites and a BbvI site, both located in the 3' untranslated region. None of these polymorphisms nor any haplotype exhibited a perfect association with allele-specific expression, but variation at the T-482C site correlated in four of five subjects with the relative allele abundance. CONCLUSION: These data provide preliminary evidence for allele-specific differences in apoC-III mRNA expression in vivo and suggest that such differences may contribute to associations of apoC-III gene polymorphisms with hypertriglyceridemia.

Uncoupling protein-3 gene expression: reduced skeletal muscle mRNA in obese humans during pronounced weight loss.

AIMS: Uncoupling protein-3 is a member of a protein family that serves to dissipate energy in the form of heat thereby modulating energy expenditure. Alternative processing of uncoupling protein-3 transcripts results in two mRNA species that encode a large and small protein, perhaps differing in functional activity. Since obesity is associated with disrupted energy homeostasis, we measured muscle mRNA expression in morbidly obese and lean subjects. METHODS: The two uncoupling protein-3 mRNA species were quantified in muscle tissue using an RNase protection assay. Gene locus effects on mRNA expression were studied by quantitative allele-specific primer extension. RESULTS: In both obese and lean subjects, the mRNA species encoding the small protein isoform was twice as abundant as the mRNA species encoding the large protein isoform. Neither the total uncoupling protein-3 mRNA expression nor the molar abundance ratios of the two mRNA species differed between obese and lean male or female subjects. Women who had lost 37+/-22 kg of weight in response to dietary restriction and continued a hypocaloric diet displayed lower mRNA than obese (p<0.005) or lean women (p<0.05). Primer extension assays in lean and obese subjects showed similar allelic mRNA abundance in all but one subject studied. CONCLUSION: Muscle expression of the two uncoupling protein-3 mRNA species is similar in obese and lean people. In obese patients, prolonged hypocaloric diet downregulates uncoupling protein-3 mRNA expression in muscle and can thereby enhance its energy efficiency. Sequence substitutions at the gene locus may only be minor determinants of mRNA expression in muscle tissue.

A sensitive chemiluminescence method to measure the lipoxygenase catalyzed oxygenation of complex substrates.

Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been implicated as a patho-physiological process in early atherogenesis and 15-lipoxygenases (15-LOX) may be involved. While studying the in vitro kinetics of the 15-LOX/LDL interaction, we found that the conventional spectrophotometric assays failed in the range of substrate saturation owing to the high optical density of concentrated LDL solutions. Therefore, we developed a much more sensitive assay system which was based on peroxide induced isoluminol enhanced chemiluminescence. With this method reliable kinetic data were obtained at LDL concentrations of up to 1 mg/ml. To validate this luminometric method the kinetic parameters of 15-LOX catalyzed oxygenation of linoleic acid (Km=3.7 microM, kcat=17 s-1) were determined and we observed a good agreement with previously published data obtained with a spectrophotometric assay. Moreover, we found that the kinetic constants of 15-LOX catalyzed LDL oxidation (Km=0.64 microM, kcat=0.15 s-1) are quite different from those of free fatty acid oxygenation and that the cholesterol esters are preferentially oxidized during 15-LOX/LDL interaction. Vitamin E depletion does not reduce the rate of LDL oxidation and analysis of the structure of the oxygenation products suggests that the majority of the products were formed via direct LOX catalyzed oxidation of LDL ester lipids. The luminometric method described here is not restricted to the measurement of LOX catalyzed LDL oxidation, but may also be used to determine kinetic constants for the oxidation of other complex substrates such as biomembranes or liposomes.

The cardiac acetylcholine-activated, inwardly rectifying K+-channel subunit GIRK1 gives rise to an inward current induced by free oxygen radicals.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system. The present study was designed to analyze the redox sensitivity of G-protein-activated inward rectifier K+ (GIRK) channels, which control cardiac contractility and excitability. GIRK1 subunits were heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and the resulting K+ currents were measured with the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. Oxygen free radicals generated by the hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase system led to a marked increase in the current through GIRK channels, termed superoxide-induced current (I(SO)). Furthermore, I(SO) did not depend on G-protein-dependent activation of GIRK currents by coexpressed muscarinic m2-receptors, but could also be observed when no agonist was present in the bathing solution. Niflumic acid at a concentration of 0.5 mmol/l did not abolish I(SO), whereas 100 micromol/l Ba2+ attenuated I(SO) completely. Catalase (10(6) i.u./l) failed to suppress I(SO), whereas H2O2 concentration was kept close to zero, as measured by chemiluminescence. Hence, we conclude that O2*- or a closely related species is responsible for I(SO) induction. Our results demonstrate a significant redox sensitivity of GIRK1 channels and suggest redox-activation of G-protein-activated inward rectifier K+ channels as a key mechanism in oxidative stress-associated cardiac dysfunction.

Treatment of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae with the lipid peroxidation product 4-HNE provokes a temporary cell cycle arrest in G1 phase.

The effects of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) on the cell division cycle were investigated in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A short treatment with HNE at a concentration in the range of the IC50 value in S. cerevisiae SP-4 cells induced a significant increase in the proportion of G0/G1 cells at the expense of S-phase cells. A similar delay in cell cycle progression upon treatment with HNE has recently been shown for HL-60 neoplastic cells. Long-term exposure in a synchronized yeast culture resulted in a pronounced dose-dependent block between G0G1- and S-phase, probably at or close to a point in the cell cycle that has been designated as "START." Incorporation of radioactively labeled precursors of macromolecules revealed that DNA synthesis was most susceptible to HNE in comparison to RNA and protein synthesis. Production of glutathione appeared to be required for the continuation of the cell cycle. HNE-treated yeast cells reentered the cell cycle when their glutathione content exceeded about twice the level of control cells. The release from the cell division cycle delay was followed by an enhanced growth to an extent that HNE-treated cells exceeded the number of control cells. These results indicate that HNE causes a biphasic modulation of cell proliferation. It was concluded that this effect was conserved during evolution from yeast to mammalian cells, emphasizing once more the usefulness of this unicellular organism as a model system for the investigation of the effects of free radical-derived products on the proliferation of eukaryotes.