HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Dihydrofolate reductase gene amplification and possible rearrangement in estrogen-responsive methotrexate-resistant human breast cancer cells.

Abstract
Methotrexate-resistant (MTXR) human breast cancer cells have been obtained which are 1000-fold less sensitive to this drug than the wild type MCF-7 cells from which they were derived. The resistant cells contain approximately a 25-fold increase in the activity of the target enzyme dihydrofolate (DHF) reductase. Enzyme inhibition studies and methotrexate affinity studies fail to reveal any difference in the DHF reductase present in the MTXR cells compared to wild type MCF-7 cells. Cytogenetic analysis demonstrates the presence of elongated marker chromosomes in the resistant cells which are not found in the parental cell line. Analysis of the DNA from MTXR and wild type MCF-7 cells using Southern blot hybridization indicates that the MTXR MCF-7 cells contain more copies of DHF reductase gene sequences than do wild type MCF-7 cells. These experiments also suggest that the amplified DHF reductase gene sequences in MTXR cells may have undergone a uniform structural rearrangement involving the 5' flanking sequences during the process of amplification. MTXR MCF-7 cells respond to estradiol by increasing cell growth, and the level of DHF reductase in the MTXR cells is further induced following administration of estradiol. Radiolabeling studies demonstrate that estrogen stimulates the actual synthesis of DHF reductase in human breast cancer cells.
AuthorsK H Cowan, M E Goldsmith, R M Levine, S C Aitken, E Douglass, N Clendeninn, A W Nienhuis, M E Lippman
JournalThe Journal of biological chemistry (J Biol Chem) Vol. 257 Issue 24 Pg. 15079-86 (Dec 25 1982) ISSN: 0021-9258 [Print] United States
PMID7174686 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase
  • Methotrexate
Topics
  • Breast Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism)
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival (drug effects)
  • Drug Resistance
  • Female
  • Gene Amplification
  • Genes (drug effects)
  • Humans
  • Karyotyping
  • Kinetics
  • Methotrexate (metabolism, pharmacology)
  • Receptors, Estrogen (metabolism)
  • Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase (genetics)

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: