Cellular DNA Polymerases Research Articles

Antiviral activity of various [formula omitted] and E-5-bromovinyl-2′-deoxyuridine against salmon herpes virus, Oncorhynchus masou virus (OMV)

1-β- d-Arabinofuranosyl -E-5- bromovinyluracil (BVaraU), 1-β- d-arabinofuranosyl -E-5- iodovinyluracil (IVaraU), 1-β- d-arbinofuranosyl -E-5- chlorovinyluracil (CVaraU) and 1-β- d-arabinofuranosyl-5-vinyluracil (VaraU) were examined for antiviral activity against salmon herpesvirus, Oncorhynchus masou virus (OMV) in vitro using Yamame ( Oncorhynchus masou) kidney cells (YNK). BVaraU, IV araU, CVaraU and VaraU were highly active against OMV; 50% inhibitory concentration (IC 50): 0.01, 0.003, 0.003, 0.003 μg/ml, respectively. The IC 50 of 5-bromovinyl-2′-deoxyuridine (BVDU) was 0.3 μg/ml. The lower activity may be due to cleavage of it N-glycosyl linkage by pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylases (i.e. thymidine phosphorylase) during the incubation period. The arabinofuranosyl counterparts are resistant to this (these) enzyme(s). Both OMV-induced DNA polymerase and cellular DNA polymerase α were strongly inhibited by BVaraU 5′-triphosphate (BVaraUTP). In an in vivo study, daily immersion of OMV-infected chum salmon ( Oncorhynchus keta) fry into aqueous solution of BVaraU (5 μg/ml, 30 min/day, 30 times) did not increase the life span of infected fish.

Functional Purification and Enzymic Characterization of the RNA-dependent DNA Polymerase of Human Immunodeficiency Virus

The RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (RDDP) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was purified from sucrose density gradient-banded virus by four successive procedures: anion exchange chromatography, cation exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography on oligo(dT)-cellulose and adsorption chromatography on hydroxyapatite. The enzyme preparation was free of cellular DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity. The properties of HIV RDDP were determined with a variety of template-primers. Generally, the enzyme used Mg2+ for optimal activity except with (Cm)n X (dG)12-18 as template-primer. Kinetic data (Michaelis constant, Hill coefficient) were calculated for several substrates.

T-antigen-DNA polymerase alpha complex implicated in simian virus 40 DNA replication.

We have combined in vitro DNA replication reactions and immunological techniques to analyze biochemical interactions between simian virus (SV40) large T antigen and components of the cellular replication apparatus. First, in vitro SV40 DNA replication was characterized with specific origin mutants. Next, monoclonal antibodies were used to demonstrate that a specific domain of T antigen formed a complex with cellular DNA polymerase alpha. Several antibodies were identified that coprecipitated T antigen and DNA polymerase alpha, while others were found to selectively prevent this interaction and concomitantly inhibit DNA replication. DNA polymerase alpha also bound efficiently to a T-antigen affinity column, confirming the immunoprecipitation results and providing a useful method for purification of the complete protein complex. Taken together, these results suggest that the T-antigen-polymerase association may be a key step in the initiation of SV40 DNA replication.

Phosphorylation of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine and selective interaction of the 5'-triphosphate with human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase.

The thymidine analog 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (BW A509U, azidothymidine) can inhibit human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication effectively in the 50-500 nM range [Mitsuya, H., Weinhold, K. J., Furman, P. A., St. Clair, M. H., Nusinoff-Lehrman, S., Gallo, R. C., Bolognesi, D., Barry, D. W. & Broder, S. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82, 7096-7100]. In contrast, inhibition of the growth of uninfected human fibroblasts and lymphocytes has been observed only at concentrations above 1 mM. The nature of this selectivity was investigated. Azidothymidine anabolism to the 5'-mono-, di-, and -triphosphate derivatives was similar in uninfected and HIV-infected cells. The level of azidothymidine monophosphate was high, whereas the levels of the di- and triphosphate were low (less than or equal to 5 microM and less than or equal to 2 microM, respectively). Cytosolic thymidine kinase (EC 2.7.1.21) was responsible for phosphorylation of azidothymidine to its monophosphate. Purified thymidine kinase catalyzed the phosphorylations of thymidine and azidothymidine with apparent Km values of 2.9 microM and 3.0 microM. The maximal rate of phosphorylation with azidothymidine was equal to 60% of the rate with thymidine. Phosphorylation of azidothymidine monophosphate to the diphosphate also appeared to be catalyzed by a host-cell enzyme, thymidylate kinase (EC 2.7.4.9). The apparent Km value for azidothymidine monophosphate was 2-fold greater than the value for dTMP (8.6 microM vs. 4.1 microM), but the maximal phosphorylation rate was only 0.3% of the dTMP rate. These kinetic constants were consistent with the anabolism results and indicated that azidothymidine monophosphate is an alternative-substrate inhibitor of thymidylate kinase. This conclusion was reflected in the observation that cells incubated with azidothymidine had reduced intracellular levels of dTTP. IC50 (concentration of inhibitor that inhibits enzyme activity 50%) values were determined for azidothymidine triphosphate with HIV reverse transcriptase and with immortalized human lymphocyte (H9 cell) DNA polymerase alpha. Azidothymidine triphosphate competed about 100-fold better for the HIV reverse transcriptase than for the cellular DNA polymerase alpha. The results reported here suggest that azidothymidine is nonselectively phosphorylated but that the triphosphate derivative efficiently and selectively binds to the HIV reverse transcriptase. Incorporation of azidothymidylate into a growing DNA strand should terminate DNA elongation and thus inhibit DNA synthesis.

T-antigen-DNA polymerase alpha complex implicated in simian virus 40 DNA replication.

We have combined in vitro DNA replication reactions and immunological techniques to analyze biochemical interactions between simian virus (SV40) large T antigen and components of the cellular replication apparatus. First, in vitro SV40 DNA replication was characterized with specific origin mutants. Next, monoclonal antibodies were used to demonstrate that a specific domain of T antigen formed a complex with cellular DNA polymerase alpha. Several antibodies were identified that coprecipitated T antigen and DNA polymerase alpha, while others were found to selectively prevent this interaction and concomitantly inhibit DNA replication. DNA polymerase alpha also bound efficiently to a T-antigen affinity column, confirming the immunoprecipitation results and providing a useful method for purification of the complete protein complex. Taken together, these results suggest that the T-antigen-polymerase association may be a key step in the initiation of SV40 DNA replication.

Metabolism and mode of action of (R)-9-(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)guanine in herpes simplex virus-infected vero cells.

The metabolism and mode of action of the anti-herpes compound buciclovir [R)-9-(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)-guanine, BCV) has been studied in herpes simplex virus-infected and uninfected Vero cells. In uninfected cells, a low and constant concentration of intracellular BCV was found, while in herpes simplex virus-infected cells, an increasing concentration of BCV phosphates was found due to metabolic trapping. The major phosphorylation product was BCV triphosphate (BCVTP) which was 92% of the total amount of BCV phosphates. BCV phosphates were accumulated to the same extent in cells infected with either a herpes simplex virus type 1 or a herpes simplex virus type 2 strain while thymidine kinase-deficient mutants of herpes simplex virus type 1 were 10 times less efficient in accumulating BCV phosphates. In uninfected Vero cells, the concentration of the phosphorylated forms of BCV was less than 1% of that found in herpes simplex virus-infected cells. The BCVTP formed in herpes simplex virus-infected cells was highly stable, as 80% of the amount of BCVTP was still present even 17 h after removal of extracellular BCV. BCV was a good substrate for herpes simplex virus type 1- and type 2-induced thymidine kinases but not for the cellular cytosol or mitochondrial thymidine kinases. BCV monophosphate could be phosphorylated by cellular guanylate kinase to BCV diphosphate. BCVTP was a selective and competitive inhibitor to deoxyguanosine triphosphate of the purified herpes simplex virus type 1- and type 2-induced DNA polymerases. BCVTP could neither act as an alternative substrate in the herpes simplex virus type 2 or cellular DNA polymerase reactions, nor could [3H]BCV monophosphate be detected in DNA formed by herpes simplex virus type 2 DNA polymerase, or be detected in nucleic acids extracted from herpes simplex virus type 1-infected cells. These data indicate that BCVTP may inhibit the herpes simplex virus-induced DNA polymerase without being incorporated into DNA.

Human cytomegalovirus-induced DNA polymerase and its interaction with the triphosphates of 1-(2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyluracil, -5-iodocytosine, and -5-methylcytosine.

Human cytomegalovirus-induced DNA polymerase and cellular DNA polymerase alpha were purified by successive chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, phosphocellulose, heparin agarose, and single-stranded DNA agarose columns. The purified virus-induced DNA polymerase was resolved to consist of two polypeptides corresponding to molecular weights of 140,000 and 58,000, as analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Virus-induced DNA polymerase and cellular alpha polymerase were examined for their sensitivities to the triphosphates of 1-(2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyluracil (FMAUTP), -5-iodocytosine (FIACTP), and -5-methylcytosine (FMACTP). The inhibitive effects of these triphosphates on the DNA polymerases were competitive with regard to the natural substrates; thus FMAUTP competes with dTTP, and FIACTP and FMACTP compete with dCTP. The inhibition constants (Ki) for FMAUTP, FIACTP, and FMACTP of virus-induced DNA polymerase are 0.06, 0.30, and 0.47 microM, respectively. Cellular DNA polymerase alpha is much less sensitive to these inhibitors, and its Ki values for FMAUTP, FIACTP, and FMACTP are 0.45, 3.10, and 2.90 microM, respectively. In addition, human cytomegalovirus-induced DNA polymerase, but not cellular DNA polymerase alpha, can utilize these analog triphosphates as alternate substrates for their corresponding natural deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates in in vitro DNA synthesis.

Effects of coordinated gold compounds on in vitro and in situ DNA replication

Auranofin, a coordinated gold compound, inhibits in vitro DNA synthesis and displays in vivo antitumor activity. To understand the mechanisms of inhibition of DNA replication, we have examined the effects of auranofin and other gold complexes on the activities of purified cellular and herpesvirus-induced DNA polymerases, and on in situ DNA replication in permeabilized S phase KB cells. Evaluation of the data suggests the following conclusions. (1) The gold compounds varied in their abilities to inhibit DNA polymerase activities. DNA polymerase α was more sensitive to inhibition by gold compounds than DNA polymerase β; (2) Inhibition of purified DNA polymerases by gold (I) compounds was noncompetitive with both DNA template and triphosphate substrates. Inhibition by SKF 101675, a gold (III) complex was competitive with DNA. (3) None of the gold compounds tested preferentially inhibited herpesvirus-induced DNA polymerases. (4) The gold complexes that inhibited in vitro DNA replication also inhibited in situ DNA synthesis. However, the potency and order of potency of the compounds varied between the in vitro and in situ systems. (5) Auranofin and other gold compounds inhibited the clonogenic capacity of KB cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The ic 50 values measured in the clonogenic assay were significantly lower than those obtained from the in vitro and in situ DNA replication assays.

Observations on the suramin-mediated inhibition of cellular and viral DNA polymerases

We have examined the sensitivity of various cellular and viral DNA polymerases to Suramin, an antitrypanosomal drug, which has been reported to exhibit antireverse transcriptase activity. We find that Suramin is a nonspecific inhibitor of all the viral and cellular DNA polymerases, including terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, and that the inhibition is most readily reversed by the addition of serum albumin. The drug appears to bind to all the enzyme proteins with no apparent selectivity. Binding of Suramin to enzyme has been found to result in the loss of both substrate and template-primer binding abilities of various enzymes, confirming the nonspecific nature of protein-Suramin interaction.

Effect of DNA polymerase inhibitors on the replication of human cytomegalovirus. Brief report.

Aphidicolin, a specific inhibitor of cellular DNA polymerase alpha and of viral DNA polymerase, inhibits production of infectious virus and cellular and viral DNA synthesis of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-infected cells. On the other hand, 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides, inhibitors of DNA polymerases beta and gamma, do not affect HCMV replication. The data show that the alpha DNA polymerases of either viral or cellular origin are required for viral DNA synthesis, and cannot be substituted by the cellular DNA polymerase beta and gamma.

Inhibition of cellular DNA polymerase alpha and human cytomegalovirus-induced DNA polymerase by the triphosphates of 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine and 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine.

The triphosphates of 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine and 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine were examined for their inhibitory effect on highly purified cellular DNA polymerase alpha and human cytomegalovirus (Towne strain)-induced DNA polymerase. These two nucleoside triphosphates competitively inhibited the incorporation of dGMP into DNA catalyzed by the DNA polymerases. The virus-induced DNA polymerase had greater binding affinity for the triphosphate of 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine (Ki, 8 nM) than for the triphosphate of 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine (Ki, 22 nM), although the nucleoside of the latter compound was strikingly more effective against human cytomegalovirus replication in cell cultures than the nucleoside of the former. The Ki values of these two nucleoside triphosphates for alpha polymerase were 96 and 146 nM, respectively, and were 7- to 12-fold higher than those for the virus-induced enzyme. These data indicated that virus-induced DNA polymerase was more sensitive to inhibition by these two nucleoside triphosphates than was the cellular alpha enzyme.

Inhibition of cellular DNA polymerase alpha and human cytomegalovirus-induced DNA polymerase by the triphosphates of 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine and 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine.

Inhibition of cellular DNA polymerase alpha and human cytomegalovirus-induced DNA polymerase by the triphosphates of 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine and 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine.

Heat-induced alterations in DNA polymerase activity of HeLa cells and of isolated nuclei. Relation to cell survival.

The activity of DNA polymerase alpha and beta was assayed in heated HeLa S3 cells as well as in nuclei isolated from these cells. The enzyme activity as measured in cells and in nuclei has been compared with the extent of cell survival after the different hyperthermic doses. It was found that although the activity of the cellular DNA polymerases was related to cell survival after single heat doses, no correlation was found when thermotolerant cells were heated. When the activity of the DNA polymerases was determined in nuclei isolated from non-heated and heated cells, more polymerase activity was found in the nuclei of the heated cells. However, the heat sensitivity of DNA polymerase activity was the same for nuclei isolated from control, pre-heated and thermotolerant cells. Heat protection of polymerase activity by erythritol and sensitization by procaine was found when cells, but not when nuclei, were heated in the presence of these modifiers. It is concluded that (the nuclear bound) DNA polymerases are not to be considered as key enzymes in cellular heat sensitivity of HeLa S3 cells.

Cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase inhibition and kinetics

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA polymerase has immunologic specificity in relation to the virus specific polymerases of other herpesviruses. During the early phase of CMV infection in vitro, the virus DNA polymerase is rapidly induced. Due to the lack of virus specific thymidine kinase, cytomegalovirus is resistant to nucleosides which require herpesvirus thymidine kinases for activation. Cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase is therefore the known possible target for antiviral drugs. Several pyrophosphate analogs have been assayed for their inhibitory effects on this enzyme. The most active compound is phosphonoformate (PFA). PFA also effectively inhibits other partially purified herpesvirus DNA polymerases as well as the multiplication of all human herpesviruses, at concentrations which do not affect cellular DNA polymerases or normal cell growth. The mechanism of inhibition is a non-competitive inhibition of CMV DNA polymerase activity with respect to the four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, and an uncompetitive inhibition with respect to the template used. In cell culture, PFA inhibits the formation of late CMV polypeptides, but not the synthesis of early CMV polypeptides. The CMV specific polymerase persists in the presence of PFA, as measured by immunological methods, and enzyme activity can be demonstrated after removal of PFA. The inhibition of CMV replication is reversible even after long exposure to PFA. Our interpretation is that the CMV genome is highly resistant to the cellular metabolism also in non-producing cells. A new rapid CMV neutralization test was established, based on the appearance of early CMV-induced antigens.

Induction of cellular dan polymerases in a Burkitt lymphoma-derived cell line by treatment with 5-iododeoxyuridine

Cellular DNA polymerases of a Burkitt lymphoma-derived cell line (P3HR-1) were found to be greatly induced by treatment of the cells with 5-iododeoxyuridine (IUdR) at a concentration which induces Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) early antigen (EA) expression. The activities of all the DNA Polymerases alpha, beta and gamma in P3HR-1 cells increased 7-9 fold by exposure of the cells to IUdR (25 micrograms/ml) for 3 days, while the EBV-coded DNA polymerase activity in the cell remained undetectable under the assay conditions employed. Under the same culture conditions with IUdR, EA-positive P3HR-1 cells increased to 16.6% which was much higher than that of the non-treated control cells (0.32%). On the other hand, another Burkitt lymphoma cell line, Raji, had very low incidence (1.27%) of EA induction by IUdR-treatment and the level of DNA polymerase activities remained almost unchanged. From these results it seems that the increase in DNA polymerase activity during the treatment of P3HR-1 cells with IUdR is closely related to high incidence of EA expression in these Burkitt lymphoma cells. Also, the finding has revealed yet unknown effect of IUdR on cultured cells and provides a useful tool to obtain a large quantity of the induced cellular DNA polymerases from the P3HR-1 and KB cells.

Increase of cellular murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase in interferon-treated cells.

The addition of mouse interferon (IFN) to AKR murine leukemia virus (MuLV)-producing NIH3T3 cells inhibited the extracellular appearance of AKR MuLV when assayed for reverse transcriptase activity or infectious virus production. IFN treatment had no detectable effect on proviral DNA formation during infection nor on the level of viral RNA in virus-producing cells. However, addition of IFN did alter the level of cellular viral reverse transcriptase activity. Chromatography of extracts from virus-producing cells on poly(G)-Sepharose columns revealed two peaks of reverse transcriptase activity. Peaks I and II eluted at 0.45 M and 0.65 M NaCl, respectively, while the cellular DNA polymerase beta eluted earlier at 0.3 M NaCl. IFN treatment of these chronic virus producer cells resulted in a 5-fold increase in peak I whereas peak II and polymerase beta remained essentially unchanged. When reverse transcriptase from purified virions was similarly chromatographed on poly(G)-Sepharose, all of the enzymatic activity eluted as peak I. Thus, the reverse transcriptase in peak I from cell extracts appears to be the form which is present in mature virions. Contrary to the results with chronic virus-producing cells, IFN treatment prior to exogenous infection with MuLV did not alter levels of reverse transcriptase peaks I and II or polymerase beta. These results provide further evidence that the major effect of IFN occurs at the level of MuLV maturation and assembly.

Role of reverse transcription in the generation of extrachromosomal copia mobile genetic elements.

The Drosophila genetic element copia is one of the best studied eukaryotic transposable sequences. Copia shares structural features with a wide variety of mobile elements in Drosophila, Lepidoptera, yeast and vertebrates, the last class being the retrovirus proviruses. Furthermore, retrovirus-like particles containing copia RNA have been isolated from Drosophila cells and extrachromosomal circular copias with structures closely resembling circular retrovirus proviruses have been isolated and cloned. Therefore, copia-like elements and retroviruses may be members of a class of mobile genetic elements existing throughout the eukaryotic kingdom. Consequently, there has been speculation that retroviruses evolved from transposable elements and, conversely, that copia-like elements transpose as retroviruses or retrovirus-like particles. To date, however, there has been no demonstration that copia RNA is reverse transcribed into copia DNA. The present report describes the isolation of linear extrachromosomal copias whose structure closely resembles the analogous retrovirus provirus linears and whose synthesis is unaffected by inhibitors of the cellular DNA polymerase responsible for chromosomal DNA replication.

Effect of Glycerol and Low pH on Heat-Induced Cell Killing and Loss of Cellular DNA Polymerase Activities in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells

A whole-cell assay technique for DNA polymerase alpha and beta was used to measure the activities of both enzymes in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells after hyperthermic treatment of 42.2 - 45.5 degrees C in acidic or basic environment and in the presence or absence of 5% glycerol. Cell survival was measured at the same time, and the DNA polymerase activities were correlated with survival. The results show a positive correlation between cell killing by heat and loss of DNA polymerase beta activity, both when cells were sensitized to heat by treatment at pH 6.7 with or without glycerol and when cells were protected from heat by treatment with 5% glycerol at pH 7.4 or 6.7. The results show a poor correlation between loss of DNA polymerase alpha activity and cell survival; i.e., compared to cell killing, the loss of DNA polymerase alpha activity was sensitized to heat more by acidic treatment without glycerol and was protected less from heat by glycerol treatment at normal physiological pH (pH 7.4). However, cell killing and loss of polymerase alpha activity did correlate well for sensitization to heat by acidic treatment in the presence of glycerol and for protection from heat by glycerol treatment at low pH. These results considered with other hyperthermia-polymerase studies suggest that heat effects on membranes can apparently result in changes in environmental conditions within the cell (secondary effects), which can in turn alter polymerase activities and/or the direct or secondary effect of heat on the polymerase enzymes. Furthermore, loss of polymerase beta activity serves as a better index of thermal damage resulting in cell death than loss of alpha activity.

Characterization of the RNA dependent DNA polymerase of a new human T lymphotropic retrovirus (lymphadenopathy associated virus)

We described here the characteristics of the Reverse Transcriptase activity associated with the Lymphadenopathy Associated Virus (LAV). A critical concentration of non ionic detergent, all four deoxyribonucleosides triphosphates and the divalent cation Mg 2+ are required for optimal endogenous enzyme activity. The endogenous reaction product is digested by DNase and not by RNase and its synthesis is only slightly inhibited by actinomycin D. Exogenous reactions are optimal using poly A oligo dT 12–18 or poly Cm oligo dG 12–18 as template primer and Mg 2+ as divalent cation. This enzyme can be distinguished from other cellular DNA polymerases activities and from Terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase (TdT) by purification from LAV infected T lymphocytes using phosphocellulose column.

Modulation by the polyoxotungstate HPA-23 of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen expression in Raji cells treated with iododeoxyuridine.

The polyoxotungstate HPA-23 was found to exert a differential effect on the induction of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen in Raji cells induced with 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IUdR). Thus, treatment of Raji cells concomitantly with IUdR and HPA-23 inhibited early antigen expression, and the extent of inhibition was proportional to the duration of treatment with HPA-23. In contrast, pretreatment of Raji cells with HPA-23 prior to induction with IUdR stimulated early antigen expression in exponentially multiplying but not in stationary-phase cells. HPA-23 alone had no effect on early antigen expression in Raji cells. Activation of the latent Epstein-Barr virus genome by IUdR is dependent upon incorporation of the thymidine analogue into cellular DNA during the S-phase of the cell cycle. Synthesis of Epstein-Barr virus DNA also takes place during S-phase, suggesting a possible participation in this process of cellular DNA polymerase alpha which is thought to be responsible for cellular DNA replication and the activity of which increases several-fold during S-phase. Treatment of Raji cells with HPA-23 caused a marked decrease in DNA polymerase alpha activity, which could result in an inhibition of IUdR incorporation leading to the observed reduction of early antigen expression in cells treated concomitantly with IUdR and HPA-23.