The ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor trimidox induces c-myc and apoptosis of human ovarian carcinoma cells.

Abstract

Trimidox (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzohydroxamidoxime), a recently synthesized inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase (RR), was shown to exert anti-proliferative activities in HL-60 and K562 human leukemia cell lines and to prolong the life span of mice inoculated with L1210 mouse leukemia cells. Here we test whether trimidox also exhibits anti-neoplastic properties in ovarian carcinoma cells. Since the mode of action of trimidox on cell fate has not been investigated so far, we addressed this unresolved item and find that this polyhydroxybenzoic acid derivative induces apoptosis of N.1 human ovarian carcinoma cells when tested in growth factor deprived medium. Utilizing an improved analysis, based on Hoechst 33258/propidium iodide double staining, apoptosis is quantified and discriminated from necrosis. Trimidox induces c-myc expression, which is indispensible for apoptosis of N.1 cells, and expression of plasminogen activator/urokinase type (upa), which supports the apoptotic process under more physiological conditions. Surprisingly, trimidox does not block dNTP synthesis in N.1 cells at the concentrations tested and, therefore, trimidox induces apoptosis independent of RR-inhibition. Like TNFalpha or benzamide riboside, which are also inducers of apoptosis of N.1 cells, trimidox also down-regulates the G1 cell cycle phosphatase cdc25A, whereas cyclin D1 becomes up-regulated. This report shows that trimidox destroys human ovarian carcinoma cells by inducing them to undergo apoptosis as well as corroborating previous investigations which demonstrated that apoptosis of these cells depends on c-myc over-expression when survival factors are withdrawn.

• Authors: G Rosenberger, G Fuhrmann, M Grusch, S Fassl, H L Elford, K Smid, G J Peters, T Szekeres, G Krupitza
• Journal: Life sciences (Life Sci) Vol. 67 Issue 26 Pg. 3131-42 (Nov 17 2000) ISSN: 0024-3205 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 11191620 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzamidoxime
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Benzamidines
• Deoxyribonucleotides
• Enzyme Inhibitors
• Cyclin D1
• Ribonucleotide Reductases
• CDC25A protein, human
• Cdc25a protein, mouse
• cdc25 Phosphatases
• Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents (pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (genetics)
• Benzamidines (pharmacology)
• Cyclin D1 (biosynthesis)
• Deoxyribonucleotides (metabolism)
• Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
• Enzyme Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Female
• Gene Expression (drug effects)
• Genes, cdc (drug effects)
• Genes, myc
• HL-60 Cells
• Humans
• Ovarian Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Ribonucleotide Reductases (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured
• Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator (biosynthesis)
• cdc25 Phosphatases (biosynthesis)