Abstract
2',3'-Dideoxycytidine (ddC) is a nucleoside analogue that inhibits human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication in vitro and is currently used in the therapy of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This compound exerts a delayed cytotoxicity due to inhibition of mitochondrial DNA (mDNA) synthesis. Long-term exposure of U937 human monoblastoid cells to ddC resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent decrease in mDNA content and Rhodamine 123 fluorescence. However, after 2 months on 0.1 microM ddC, a drug-resistant cell line (U937-R) with 66% of the normal amount of mDNA was isolated. ddC transport in U937 and U937-R cell lines was similar. In contrast, U937-R accumulated ddC phosphorylated derivatives at a much lower rate and to a reduced concentration into acid-soluble material. The rate of 2',3'-dideoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate (ddCTP) formation in U937-R cells was almost one-third of that measured in normal cells, although the rate of ddCTP catabolism was similar in both cell lines. Dideoxyliponucleotide (ddCDP-choline and ddCDP-ethanolamine) formation was also much slower (between one-half and one-third as fast) in U937-R than in control cells, although catabolism occurred at similar rates. ddC was phosphorylated by a cytoplasmic deoxycytidine kinase in both cell lines. This enzyme showed Km values for ddC of 80 +/- 7 and 140 +/- 9 microM in U937 and U937-R cells respectively. Furthermore, Vmax was 12 +/- 1.1 and 7.8 +/- 0.5 pmol/min per mg of protein in U937 and U937-R. Thus resistance to ddC toxicity may be due to cells' decreased ability to accumulate intracellular ddC anabolites, which may depend on cytoplasmic deoxycytidine kinase.
Published Version (Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.