DNA Interstrand Cross-link Formation Research Articles

Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Binaphthalene Precursors as Photoactivated DNA Interstrand Cross-Linkers

Most recently, alkylation via photogenerated carbocations has been identified as a novel mechanism for photoinduced DNA interstrand cross-link (ICL) formation by bifunctional aryl compounds. However, most compounds showed a low efficiency for DNA cross-linking. Here, we have developed a series of new 1,1'-binaphthalene analogues that efficiently form DNA ICLs upon 350 nm irradiation via generated 2-naphthalenylmethyl cations. The DNA cross-linking efficiency depends on the substituents at position 4 of the naphthalene moiety as well as the leaving groups. Compounds with NO2, Ph, H, Br, or OMe substituents led to 2-4 times higher DNA ICL yields than those with a boronate ester group. Compounds with trimethylammonium salt as a leaving group showed slightly better cross-linking efficiency than those with bromo as a leaving group. Some of these compounds showed a better cross-linking efficiency than that of traditional alkylating agents, such as nitrogen mustard analogues or quinone methide precursors. These highly efficient photoactivated carbocation precursors allow determination and characterization of the adducts formed between the photogenerated naphthalenyl cations and four natural nucleosides, indicating that the alkylation sites for these naphthalene analogues are dG, dA, and dC.

Substituents Have a Large Effect on Photochemical Generation of Benzyl Cations and DNA Cross-Linking.

Photoactivated DNA interstrand cross-linking agents have a wide range of biological applications. Recently, several aryl boronates have been reported to induce DNA interstrand cross-link (ICL) formation via carbocations upon photoirradiation. Herein, we synthesized a series of new bifunctional phenyl compounds to test the generality of such a mechanism, and to understand how the chemical structure influences carbocation formation and the DNA cross-linking process. These compounds efficiently form DNA ICLs via generated benzyl cations upon 350 nm irradiation. The DNA cross-linking efficiency and the pathway for carbocation generation depend on both the aromatic substituents and the leaving groups. Bromine as a leaving group facilitates the DNA cross-linking process in comparison with trimethyl ammonium salt. Both electron-donating and -withdrawing substituents induce bathochromic shifts, which favor photoinduced DNA ICL formation. For the bromides, the benzyl cation intermediates were generated through oxidation of the corresponding benzyl radicals. However, for the ammonia salts, the benzyl cations were formed through two pathways: either through oxidation of the benzyl radicals or by direct heterolysis of the C-N bond. Photoinduced C-N homolysis to form benzyl radicals occurred with compounds having donating substituents, whereas direct heterolysis of the C-N bond occurred with those bearing withdrawing substituents. The adducts formed between 1 a and four natural nucleosides were characterized, indicating that the alkylation sites for the photogenerated benzyl cations are dG, dA, and dC.

Abstract 52: Mechanistic and benchmarking studies of ADCT-502, a pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimer-containing antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting HER2-expressing solid tumors

Abstract ADCT-502 is an ADC composed of an engineered version of humanized IgG1 trastuzumab, directed against human HER2, site-specifically conjugated to the highly cytotoxic PBD-based linker-drug tesirine (drug-antibody ratio of 1.7). In vitro, ADCT-502 has highly potent and targeted cytotoxicity against various solid cancer cell lines. In vivo, ADCT-502 demonstrates strong and durable antitumor activity in mouse xenografts with various levels of HER2, but is inactive in a HER2-negative xenograft. ADCT-502 is stable, well tolerated and has a favorable PK profile both in rat and cynomolgus monkey. The current study aimed to define further the mechanism of action of ADCT-502 and to benchmark its activity in xenograft models against ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), the ADC currently approved for the treatment of HER2+ metastatic breast cancers. ADCT-502 bound and internalized efficiently in JIMT-1 cells (HER2+) and co-localized with lysosomes within 2 hours. PBD dimers bind in the DNA minor groove and exert cytotoxicity via the formation of DNA interstrand cross-links. Following a 2-hour exposure to ADCT-502, DNA interstrand cross-linking peaked between 12 and 24 hours, after which cross-links persisted at least 36 hours. In contrast, cross-link formation by an equimolar concentration of warhead alone, peaked immediately following drug exposure and a non-targeted ADC did not produce DNA crosslinks in these cells. Moreover, ADCT-502 showed indirect bystander killing activity in HER2-negative MDA-MB-468 cells incubated with conditioned medium from ADCT-502-treated HER2+ SK-BR-3 cells. In vivo, antitumor activity of ADCT-502 was compared to T-DM1 in both cell line- and patient-derived-xenograft (PDX) models. For example, in a HER2 1+, FISH- breast cancer PDX, ADCT-502 showed dose-dependent antitumor activity resulting in 1/8 and 8/8 TFS after a single dose at 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg, respectively. Conversely, a single dose of T-DM1 at 30 mg/kg showed only marginal activity compared to the control. Similarly, in a HER2 1+, FISH- esophageal cancer PDX, while a single dose of ADCT-502 at 0.44 mg/kg resulted in strong and durable antitumor activity, single doses of T-DM1 at either 10 or 30 mg/kg showed no activity compared to the control. These data confirm that the mechanism of cell killing of ADCT-502 is via target-specific internalization and subsequent cross-linking of DNA. They also show superior in vivo antitumor activity of ADCT-502 compared to T-DM1 in various tumor xenografts, including those with low HER2 levels. Taken together, these results support the development of ADCT-502 not only in patients that have become resistant/refractory to T-DM1, but also in patients whose tumors express low levels of HER2, and are not eligible for treatment with T-DM1. Citation Format: Francesca Zammarchi, Halla W. Reinert, Narinder Janghra, Simon Corbett, Maria Mellinas-Gomez, Sajidah Chowdhury, Neha Arora, Peter Tyrer, Francois Bertelli, David G. Williams, Philip W. Howard, John A. Hartley, Patrick H. van Berkel. Mechanistic and benchmarking studies of ADCT-502, a pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimer-containing antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting HER2-expressing solid tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 52. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-52

Abstract NTOC-108: ACTIVITY OF DIANHYDROGALACTITOL (VAL–083) IN OVARIAN TUMOR MODELS, SENSITIVE OR RESISTANT TO CISPLATIN

Abstract PURPOSE: Platinum drug resistance is a major clinical impediment that is normally ascribed to several mechanisms, with dysfunctional p53 playing a critical role, particularly in the highly lethal high-grade ovarian serous carcinoma, where p53 mutations can be >80%. Since restoration of p53 function could restore drug-dependent cytotoxicity, the goal of this study was to examine dianhydrogalactitol (VAL-083) for its potential in an ovarian tumor panel representing different p53 statuses and cisplatin-resistance. VAL-083 has demonstrated clinical activity against a range of tumor types, including ovarian cancer, in historical NCI-sponsored clinical studies, but its activity in a cisplatin-resistance setting is not known. VAL-083 is a bi-functional alkylating agent with a distinct mechanism of action, forming DNA interstrand cross links at the N7 position of guanine, whereas cisplatin and carboplatin predominantly form intrastrand DNA cross-links. METHODS: The tumor panel was composed of cisplatin-sensitive wild type (wt) p53 ovarian cancer cell line A2780, cisplatin-resistant A2780-derived heterozygous p53-V172F mutant 2780CP/Cl-16 cells, and three other cisplatin-resistant models harboring mutant (OVCAR-10) or wt p53 (Hey and OVCA-433). Cells were exposed to cisplatin or VAL-083 and the IC50 cytotoxic parameter was determined by fitting the 5-day MTT cell survival data to a 4-parameter sigmoidal curve. MTT assay was used in conjunction with Bliss Independence Model and combination index approaches to assess VAL-083/cisplatin combinations. Immunoblot analysis assessed p53 response. RESULTS: The IC50 of cisplatin in the cisplatin-sensitive A2780 model was 0.2-0.3 µM. In contrast, the IC50 in the four cisplatin-resistant models (2780CP/Cl-16, OVCAR-10, Hey and OVCA-433) was 3-8 µM; a 10- to 27-fold increase. The corresponding IC50 for VAL-083 was about 0.5 µM in A2780 cells and 2-4 µM in the four cisplatin-resistant models; a 4- to 7-fold increase, suggesting a distinct mode of action of VAL-083 and the ability to circumvent cisplatin resistance. In addition, these results further indicate that VAL-083 activity is less dependent on p53 status. However, immunoblots of 2780CP/Cl-16 cells suggest partial dependency on p53 by demonstrating that VAL-083, unlike cisplatin, can activate mutant p53-V172F through Ser20 phosphorylation, thereby preventing binding to p53 of inhibitory MDM4. VAL-083 thus restores p53 function, which is consistent with its greater potency in p53 mutated cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer. These results suggest that VAL-083 have two mechanisms: one dependent on p53 and another on a different pathway. The apparent differences in the mechanism between cisplatin and VAL-083 prompted a combination study with the two agents, and consistent synergy was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: VAL-083 can circumvent cisplatin-resistance in ovarian tumor models, and its activity is less dependent on p53 status. Together with overt synergy between VAL-083 and cisplatin, our results demonstrate the effectiveness of VAL-083 against cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer as a single agent or in combination with cisplatin. Citation Format: Anne Steino, Michelle Martinez-Rivera, Guanghan He, Xiaolei Xie, Jeffrey A. Bacha, Dennis M. Brown and Zahid H. Siddik. ACTIVITY OF DIANHYDROGALACTITOL (VAL–083) IN OVARIAN TUMOR MODELS, SENSITIVE OR RESISTANT TO CISPLATIN [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 12-13, 2016; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr NTOC-108.

Hydrogen peroxide activated quinone methide precursors with enhanced DNA cross-linking capability and cytotoxicity towards cancer cells

Quinone methide (QM) formation induced by endogenously generated H2O2 is attractive for biological and biomedical applications. To overcome current limitations due to low biological activity of H2O2-activated QM precursors, we are introducing herein several new arylboronates with electron donating substituents at different positions of benzene ring and/or different neutral leaving groups. The reaction rate of the arylboronate esters with H2O2 and subsequent bisquinone methides formation and DNA cross-linking was accelerated with the application of Br as a leaving group instead of acetoxy groups. Additionally, a donating group placed meta to the nascent exo-methylene group of the quinone methide greatly improves H2O2-induced DNA interstrand cross-link formation as well as enhances the cellular activity. Multiple donating groups decrease the stability and DNA cross-linking capability, which lead to low cellular activity. A cell-based screen demonstrated that compounds 2a and 5a with a OMe or OH group dramatically inhibited the growth of various tissue-derived cancer cells while normal cells were less affected. Induction of H2AX phosphorylation by these compounds in CLL lymphocytes provide evidence for a correlation between cell death and DNA damage. The compounds presented herein showed potent anticancer activities and selectivity, which represent a novel scaffold for anticancer drug development.

Study of commonly used organophosphate pesticides that induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in peripheral blood lymphocytes of rats.

In a previous study, we have found that organophosphate (OP) pesticides such as chlorpyrifos (CPF), methyl parathion (MPT), and malathion (MLT) significantly induced genotoxicity in peripheral blood lymphocytes of rats. To explore the mechanism of OP-induced genotoxicity, we measured the formation of DNA interstrand cross-links (DICs) and apoptosis in peripheral blood lymphocytes of rats. Peripheral blood lymphocytes of rats were treated with CPF, MPT, and MLT individually and in combination at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.25 LC50 for 2, 4, 8, and 12 h at 37°C. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) was measured as a biomarker of oxidative stress. Apoptosis induced by CPF, MPT, and MLT individually and in combination was determined by measuring the intracellular level of active caspase-3 and caspase-9 by spectrofluorimetry. We found significant dose- and time-dependent increases in LPO, DICs formation and increase of intracellular active caspase-3 and caspase-9 in exposed peripheral blood lymphocytes of rats. These findings suggest that the studied pesticides have potential to induce oxidative stress, cause DNA adduct formation, and cause failure of adduct repair, which leads to apoptosis that is partially mediated by activation of intracellular caspase-3 and caspase-9.

ADCT-301, a Pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) Dimer-Containing Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) Targeting CD25-Expressing Hematological Malignancies.

Despite the many advances in the treatment of hematologic malignancies over the past decade, outcomes in refractory lymphomas remain poor. One potential strategy in this patient population is the specific targeting of IL2R-α (CD25), which is overexpressed on many lymphoma and leukemic cells, using antibody-drug conjugates (ADC). ADCT-301 is an ADC composed of human IgG1 HuMax-TAC against CD25, stochastically conjugated through a dipeptide cleavable linker to a pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimer warhead with a drug-antibody ratio (DAR) of 2.3. ADCT-301 binds human CD25 with picomolar affinity. ADCT-301 has highly potent and selective cytotoxicity against a panel of CD25-expressing human lymphoma cell lines. Once internalized, the released warhead binds in the DNA minor groove and exerts its potent cytotoxic action via the formation of DNA interstrand cross-links. A strong correlation between loss of viability and DNA cross-link formation is demonstrated. DNA damage persists, resulting in phosphorylation of histone H2AX, cell-cycle arrest in G2-M, and apoptosis. Bystander killing of CD25-negative cells by ADCT-301 is also observed. In vivo, a single dose of ADCT-301 results in dose-dependent and targeted antitumor activity against both subcutaneous and disseminated CD25-positive lymphoma models. In xenografts of Karpas 299, which expressed both CD25 and CD30, marked superiority over brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) is observed. Dose-dependent increases in DNA cross-linking, γ-H2AX, and PBD payload staining were observed in tumors in vivo indicating a role as relevant pharmacodynamic assays. Together, these data support the clinical testing of this novel ADC in patients with CD25-expressing tumors. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(11); 2709-21. ©2016 AACR.

Coumarin-Induced DNA Ligation, Rearrangement to DNA Interstrand Crosslinks, and Photorelease of Coumarin Moiety.

Coumarin moieties react with thymine and cytosine in DNA by photoinduced [2+2] cycloaddition, which allows quantitative DNA interstrand crosslink (ICL) formation. Here, we report the application of coumarin analogues for DNA photoligation and the rearrangement of coumarin-induced ligation to ICL products. Both DNA sequences and the linker units at position 4 of the coumarin moieties affected coumarin-induced DNA photoligation. A flexible linker unit favored DNA ICL formation but led to inefficient photoligation, whereas coumarins without linker units greatly increased DNA photoligation efficiency. DNA photoligation induced by the coumarin moiety was photoswitchable. Ligation products were formed between coumarin and dT or dC upon 350 nm irradiation but reverted to the original single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs) upon 254 nm irradiation. Rearrangement of ligated ODNs into ICL products occurred during the switchable (350 nm/254 nm) processes. Additionally, photoinduced cleavage of coumarin 3 occurred with dC-3 cycloadducts upon 254 nm irradiation, which was confirmed by mass spectrometry analysis.

Photoinduced DNA Interstrand Cross-Link Formation by Naphthalene Boronates via a Carbocation.

Most photoinduced DNA cross-link formation by a bifunctional aryl derivative is through a bisquinone methide. DNA cross-linking via a bisarylcarbocation remains a less explored area. We designed and synthesized a series of naphthalene boronates that produce DNA interstrand cross-links via a carbocation upon UV irradiation. A free radical was generated from the naphthalene boronates with 350 nm irradiation and further converted to a carbocation by electron transfer. The activation mechanism was determined using the orthogonal traps, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl (TEMPO) and methoxyamine that react with either the free radical or the carbocation but not both. This represents a novel example of photoinduced DNA cross-link formation via carbocations generated from a bisaryl derivative. This work provides information useful for the design of novel photoactivated DNA cross-linking agents.

The structure and duplex context of DNA interstrand crosslinks affects the activity of DNA polymerase η.

Several important anti-tumor agents form DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs), but their clinical efficiency is counteracted by multiple complex DNA repair pathways. All of these pathways require unhooking of the ICL from one strand of a DNA duplex by nucleases, followed by bypass of the unhooked ICL by translesion synthesis (TLS) polymerases. The structures of the unhooked ICLs remain unknown, yet the position of incisions and processing of the unhooked ICLs significantly influence the efficiency and fidelity of bypass by TLS polymerases. We have synthesized a panel of model unhooked nitrogen mustard ICLs to systematically investigate how the state of an unhooked ICL affects pol η activity. We find that duplex distortion induced by a crosslink plays a crucial role in translesion synthesis, and length of the duplex surrounding an unhooked ICL critically affects polymerase efficiency. We report the synthesis of a putative ICL repair intermediate that mimics the complete processing of an unhooked ICL to a single crosslinked nucleotide, and find that it provides only a minimal obstacle for DNA polymerases. Our results raise the possibility that, depending on the structure and extent of processing of an ICL, its bypass may not absolutely require TLS polymerases.

Mutagenic Bypass of an Oxidized Abasic Lesion-Induced DNA Interstrand Cross-Link Analogue by Human Translesion Synthesis DNA Polymerases.

5'-(2-Phosphoryl-1,4-dioxobutane) (DOB) is an oxidized abasic site that is produced by several antitumor agents and γ-radiolysis. DOB reacts reversibly with a dA opposite the 3'-adjacent nucleotide to form DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs), genotoxic DNA lesions that can block DNA replication and transcription. Translesion synthesis (TLS) is an important step in several ICL repair pathways to bypass unhooked intermediates generated by endonucleolytic incision. The instability of DOB-ICLs has made it difficult to learn about their TLS-mediated repair capability and mutagenic potential. We recently developed a method for chemically synthesizing oligonucleotides containing a modified DOB-ICL analogue. Herein, we examined the capabilities of several highly relevant eukaryotic TLS DNA polymerases (pols), including human pol η, pol κ, pol ι, pol ν, REV1, and yeast pol ζ, to bypass this DOB-ICL analogue. The prelesion, translesion, and postlesion replication efficiency and fidelity were examined. Pol η showed moderate bypass activity when encountering the DOB-ICL, giving major products one or two nucleotides beyond the cross-linked template nucleotide. In contrast, DNA synthesis by the other pols was stalled at the position before the cross-linked nucleotide. Steady-state kinetic data and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry sequencing of primer extension products by pol η unambiguously revealed that pol η-mediated bypass is highly error-prone. Together, our study provides the first set of in vitro evidence that the DOB-ICL is a replication-blocking and highly miscoding lesion. Compared to several other TLS pols examined, pol η is likely to contribute to the TLS-mediated repair of the DOB-ICL in vivo.

Mechanistic and Pharmacodynamic Studies of Adct-301, a Pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) Dimer-Containing Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) Targeting CD25-Expressing Hematological Malignancies

ADCT-301, currently in Phase I clinical trial, is an ADC composed of a recombinant human IgG1, HuMax®-TAC against human IL-2R-α (CD25) conjugated through a cleavable linker to a PBD dimer warhead with a drug-antibody ratio of 2.3. In vitro and ex vivo, ADCT-301 binds human CD25 with picomolar affinity. ADCT-301 has highly potent and targeted cytotoxicity against a panel of human lymphoma cell lines. On release, PBD dimers bind in the DNA minor groove and exert their cytotoxic action via the formation of DNA interstrand cross-links. In vivo, ADCT-301 demonstrates dose-dependent antitumor activity against subcutaneous and disseminated lymphoma models. For example, in the Karpas 299 xenograft model, 10/10 tumor-free survivors are observed following a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg, whereas Adcetris® gives only a modest delay in mean tumor growth at 0.5 mg/kg, despite this tumor expressing three-fold higher target antigen levels for this drug. The current study aimed to further define the mechanism of action of ADCT-301 and validate pharmacodynamic assays for clinical development.In Karpas 299 cells, evidence for internalization of ADCT-301 was shown by a reduction of CD25 molecules on the cell surface over the first three hours post-treatment followed by a return to pre-treatment levels by 16 hours. This is consistent with the documented rapid recycling of CD25 to the membrane after exposure to IL-2 (Hemar et al Journal of Cell Biology 1995). Furthermore, ADCT-301 on the cell surface declined by >70% over four hours. Following a two-hour exposure to ADCT-301, DNA interstrand cross-linking, measured using a modification of the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay, reached a peak between 4 and 8 hours after which cross-links persisted up to 36 hours. In contrast, the peak of cross-link formation for an equimolar concentration of warhead was immediately following drug exposure and a non-targeted PBD-containing ADC did not produce crosslinks in these cells. A strong correlation (r = 0.97) between loss of viability and DNA cross-link formation provides support for this DNA damage being the critical initiating mechanism of cytotoxicity of ADCT-301.We have previously shown that PBD-induced DNA interstrand cross-links elicit a robust, but delayed γ-H2AX response (Wu et al Clinical Cancer Research 2013). In Karpas 299 cells phosphorylation of H2AX was observed 24 hours after a two-hour exposure to sub-GI50 concentrations of ADCT-301. In these cells continuous exposure to ADCT-301 resulted in a dose-dependent G2/M arrest, peaking at 48 hours, later than for the naked warhead. The peak of the early apoptosis marker annexin-V on the cell surface of Karpas 299 cells was observed between 60 and 72 hours and maximal loss of viability was at 96 hours.Significant bystander killing of CD25-negative human Burkitt's lymphoma-derived Ramos cells was demonstrated for ADCT-301 both by co-culture experiments with CD25-positive Karpas 299 cells, and by media transfer from Karpas 299 cells treated with ADCT-301. This is important as many lymphomas are heterogeneous in their CD25 expression profile (Strauchen et al American Journal of Pathology 1987).In SCID mice with Karpas 299 subcutaneous tumors a single dose of ADCT-301 was administered at 0.2 or 0.6 mg/kg. 24 hours after treatment, excised tumors showed a dose proportional increase in intensity of membrane and cytoplasmic staining by an anti-PBD payload antibody. Cross-linking was determined as 23% (0.2 mg/kg) vs 49% (0.6 mg/kg) (p ≤ 0.01) reduction in Tail Moment using the comet assay and dose-dependent γ-H2AX formation measured by immunohistochemistry was observed. No cross-linking was observed in matched lymphocyte samples.These data confirm the mechanism of cell killing of ADCT-301 and provide relevant pharmacodynamic assays for use in the clinical development of PBD-based ADCs. DisclosuresFlynn:Spirogen/Medimmune: Employment. van Berkel:ADC Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Zammarchi:ADC Therapeutics: Employment. Tyrer:Spirogen/Medimmune: Employment. Williams:Spirogen/Medimmune: Employment. Howard:ADCT Spirogen/Medimmune: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Hartley:ADCT Spirogen/Medimmune: Employment, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

UV-Induced DNA Interstrand Cross-Linking and Direct Strand Breaks from a New Type of Binitroimidazole Analogue.

Four novel photoactivated binitroimidazole prodrugs were synthesized. These agents produced DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs) and direct strand breaks (DSB) upon UV irradiation, whereas no or very few DNA ICLs and DSBs were observed without UV treatment. Although these four molecules (1-4) contain the same binitroimidazole moiety, they bear four different leaving groups, which resulted in their producing different yields of DNA damage. Compound 4, with nitrogen mustard as a leaving group, showed the highest ICL yield. Surprisingly, compounds 1-3, without any alkylating functional group, also induced DNA ICL formation, although they did so with lower yields, which suggested that the binitroimidazole moiety released from UV irradiation of 1-3 is capable of cross-linking DNA. The DNA cross-linked products induced by these compounds were completely destroyed upon 1.0 M piperidine treatment at 90 °C (leading to cleavage at dG sites), which revealed that DNA cross-linking mainly occurred via alkylation of dGs. We proposed a possible mechanism by which alkylating agents were released from these compounds. HRMS and NMR analysis confirmed that free nitrogen mustards were generated by UV irradiation of 4. Suppression of DNA ICL and DSB formation by a radical trap, TEMPO, indicated the involvement of free radicals in the photo reactions of 3 and 4 with DNA. On the basis of these data, we propose that UV irradiation of compounds 1-4 generated a binitroimidazole intermediate that cross-links DNA. The higher ICL yield observed with 4 resulted from the amine effector nitrogen mustard released from UV irradiation.

Influence of the Expression Level of O6-Alkylguanine-DNA Alkyltransferase on the Formation of DNA Interstrand Crosslinks Induced by Chloroethylnitrosoureas in Cells: A Quantitation Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

Chloroethylnitrosoureas (CENUs), which are bifunctional alkylating agents widely used in the clinical treatment of cancer, exert anticancer activity by inducing crosslink within a guanine-cytosine DNA base pair. However, the formation of dG-dC crosslinks can be prevented by O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT), ultimately leading to drug resistance. Therefore, the level of AGT expression is related to the formation of dG-dC crosslinks and the sensitivity of cells to CENUs. In this work, we determined the CENU-induced dG-dC crosslink in mouse L1210 leukemia cells and in human glioblastoma cells (SF-763, SF-767 and SF-126) containing different levels of AGT using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The results indicate that nimustine (ACNU) induced more dG-dC crosslinks in L1210 leukemia cells than those induced by carmustine (BCNU), lomustine (CCNU) and fotemustine (FTMS). This result was consistent with a previously reported cohort study, which demonstrated that ACNU had a better survival gain than BCNU, CCNU and FTMS for patients with high-grade glioma. Moreover, we compared the crosslinking levels and the cytotoxicity in SF-763, SF-767 and SF-126 cells with different AGT expression levels after exposure to ACNU. The levels of dG-dC crosslink in SF-126 cells (low AGT expression) were significantly higher than those in SF-767 (medium AGT expression) and SF-763 (high AGT expression) cells at each time point. Correspondingly, the cytotoxicity of SF-126 was the highest followed by SF-767 and SF-763. The results obtained in this work provided unequivocal evidence for drug resistance to CENUs induced by AGT-mediated repair of DNA ICLs. We postulate that the level of dG-dC crosslink has the potential to be employed as a biomarker for estimating drug resistance and anticancer efficiencies of novel CENU chemotherapies.

Quantitative DNA interstrand cross-link formation by coumarin and thymine: structure determination, sequence effect, and fluorescence detection.

The coumarin analogues have been widely utilized in medicine, biology, biochemistry, and material sciences. Here, we report a detailed study on the reactivity of coumarins toward DNA. A series of coumarin analogues were synthesized and incorporated into oligodeoxynucleotides. A photoinduced [2 + 2] cycloaddition occurs between the coumarin moiety and the thymidine upon 350 nm irradiation forming both syn- and anti-cyclobutane adducts (17 and 18), which are photoreversible by 254/350 nm irradiation in DNA. Quantitative DNA interstrand cross-link (ICL) formation was observed with the coumarin moieties containing a flexible two-carbon or longer chain. DNA cross-linking by coumarins shows a kinetic preference when flanked by an A:T base pair as opposed to a G:C pair. An efficient photoinduced electron transfer between coumarin and dG slows down ICL formation. ICL formation quenches the fluorescence of coumarin, which, for the first time, enables fast, easy, and real-time monitoring of DNA cross-linking and photoreversibility via fluorescence spectroscopy. It can be used to detect the transversion mutation between pyrimidines and purines. Overall, this work provides new insights into the biochemical properties and possible toxicity of coumarins. A quantitative, fluorescence-detectable, and photoswitchable DNA cross-linking reaction of the coumarin moieties can potentially serve as mechanistic probes and tools for bioresearch without disrupting native biological environment.

Influence of glutathione and glutathione S-transferases on DNA interstrand cross-link formation by 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)hydrazine, the active anticancer moiety generated by laromustine.

Prodrugs of 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)hydrazine (90CE) are promising anticancer agents. The 90CE moiety is a readily latentiated, short-lived (t1/2 ∼ 30 s) chloroethylating agent that can generate high yields of oxophilic electrophiles responsible for the chloroethylation of the O-6 position of guanine in DNA. These guanine O-6 alkylations are believed to be responsible for the therapeutic effects of 90CE and its prodrugs. Thus, 90CE demonstrates high selectivity toward tumors with diminished levels of O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (MGMT), the resistance protein responsible for O6-alkylguanine repair. The formation of O6-(2-chloroethyl)guanine lesions ultimately leads to the generation of highly cytotoxic 1-(N3-cytosinyl),-2-(N1-guaninyl)ethane DNA interstrand cross-links via N1,O6-ethanoguanine intermediates. The anticancer activity arising from this sequence of reactions is thus identical to this component of the anticancer activity of the clinically used chloroethylnitrosoureas. Herein, we evaluate the ability of glutathione (GSH) and other low molecular weight thiols, as well as GSH coupled with various glutathione S-transferase enzymes (GSTs) to attenuate the final yields of cross-links generated by 90CE when added prior to or immediately following the initial chloroethylation step to determine the major point(s) of interaction. In contrast to studies utilizing BCNU as a chloroethylating agent by others, GSH (or GSH/GST) did not appreciably quench DNA interstrand cross-link precursors. While thiols alone offered little protection at either alkylation step, the GSH/GST couple was able to diminish the initial yields of cross-link precursors. 90CE exhibited a very different GST isoenzyme susceptibility to that reported for BCNU, this could have important implications in the relative resistance of tumor cells to these agents. The protection afforded by GSH/GST was compared to that produced by MGMT.

Aromatic nitrogen mustard-based prodrugs: activity, selectivity, and the mechanism of DNA cross-linking.

Three novel H2O2-activated aromatic nitrogen mustard prodrugs (6-8) are reported. These compounds contain a DNA alkylating agent connected to a H2O2-responsive trigger by different electron-withdrawing linkers so that they are inactive towards DNA but can be triggered by H2O2 to release active species. The activity and selectivity of these compounds towards DNA were investigated by measuring DNA interstrand cross-link (ICL) formation in the presence or absence of H2O2. An electron-withdrawing linker unit, such as a quaternary ammonia salt (6), a carboxyamide (7), and a carbonate group (8), is sufficient to deactivate the aromatic nitrogen mustard resulting in less than 1.5 % cross-linking formation. However, H2O2 can restore the activity of the effectors by converting a withdrawing group to a donating group, therefore increasing the cross-linking efficiency (>20 %). The stability and reaction sites of the ICL products were determined, which revealed that alkylation induced by 7 and 8 not only occurred at the purine sites but also at the pyrimidine site. For the first time, we isolated and characterized the monomer adducts formed between the canonical nucleosides and the aromatic nitrogen mustard (15) which supported that nitrogen mustards reacted with dG, dA, and dC. The activation mechanism was studied by NMR spectroscopic analysis. An in vitro cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that compound 7 with a carboxyamide linker dramatically inhibited the growth of various cancer cells with a GI50 of less than 1 μM, whereas compound 6 with a charged linker did not show any obvious toxicity in all cell lines tested. These data indicated that a neutral carboxyamide linker is preferable for developing nitrogen mustard prodrugs. Our results showed that 7 is a potent anticancer prodrug that can serve as a model compound for further development. We believe these novel aromatic nitrogen mustards will inspire further and effective applications.

Photo-Activated Psoralen Binds the ErbB2 Catalytic Kinase Domain, Blocking ErbB2 Signaling and Triggering Tumor Cell Apoptosis

Photo-activation of psoralen with UVA irradiation, referred to as PUVA, is used in the treatment of proliferative skin disorders. The anti-proliferative effects of PUVA have been largely attributed to psoralen intercalation of DNA, which upon UV treatment, triggers the formation of interstrand DNA crosslinks (ICL) that inhibit transcription and DNA replication. Here, we show that PUVA exerts antitumor effects in models of human breast cancer that overexpress the ErbB2 receptor tyrosine kinase oncogene, through a new mechanism. Independent of ICL formation, the antitumor effects of PUVA in ErbB2+ breast cancer models can instead be mediated through inhibition of ErbB2 activation and signaling. Using a mass spectroscopy-based approach, we show for the first time that photo-activated 8MOP (8-methoxypsoralen) interacts with the ErbB2 catalytic autokinase domain. Furthermore, PUVA can reverse therapeutic resistance to lapatinib and other ErbB2 targeted therapies, including resistance mediated via expression of a phosphorylated, truncated form of ErbB2 (p85ErbB2) that is preferentially expressed in tumor cell nuclei. Current ErbB2 targeted therapies, small molecule kinase inhibitors or antibodies, do not block the phosphorylated, activated state of p85ErbB2. Here we show that PUVA reduced p85ErbB2 phosphorylation leading to tumor cell apoptosis. Thus, in addition to its effects on DNA and the formation of ICL, PUVA represents a novel ErbB2 targeted therapy for the treatment of ErbB2+ breast cancers, including those that have developed resistance to other ErbB2 targeted therapies.

Tissue-specific aging: a tale of functional asymmetry

Functional asymmetry is a fundamental aspect of all living beings. This also applies to single celled organisms that reproduce symmetrically into two identical halves; the cell that inherits the old pole, it grows at a slower rate, produces less offspring, and shows a decrease in overall cell viability (Stewart EJ et al., PloS Biol 2005; 2:e45). Functional asymmetry becomes clearly visible when one considers the dramatic differences between the immortal germ line and the disposable soma or between the countless cell types of multicellular organisms; most cells differ in their metabolic demands, replicative potential, and developmental origin or are exposed to distinct intrinsic and environmental hazards. However, what makes functional asymmetry more relevant for aging is that any unforeseen cellular mistake will also have asymmetric outcomes for human health e.g. the faulty repair of DNA lesions may have a much higher cost in one direction (e.g. stem cells) than in the other (e.g. hepatocytes). Moreover, functional asymmetry is frequently observed in pathways, such as those involved in more than one biological process; different mutations of the same gene or in different genes of the same pathway could impair one or the other function of that pathway triggering the onset of distinct pathological features. Nucleotide excision repair is a conserved DNA repair pathway that cells employ to recognize and remove helix-distorting DNA lesions (Kamileri et al.; Trends Genet. 2012; 11:566-73). Defects in NER represent some of the best-known examples of functional asymmetry; the clinical outcome of NER patients is exceptionally diverse ranging from increased skin cancer predisposition (as in Xeroderma Pigmentosum) to a wide range of progeroid features (as in Cockayne syndrome or trichothiodystrophy) that once present, they manifest in some, but not all, organs. Recent work from our lab allowed us to gain further insights on how random DNA damage events could trigger the onset of tissue-specific pathological features in NER progeroid syndromes (Karakasilioti I et al. Cell metabolism. 2013; 18:3:403-415). Using mice that lack the NER structure-specific endonuclease ERCC1 systemically or specifically in the adipose tissue, we found that the animals exhibited marked white and brown adipose tissue abnormalities. These appeared to be degenerative changes as both adipose tissue depots developed normally with defects gradually appearing only at later stages in murine life. Further work revealed that the accumulation of irreparable DNA inter-strand crosslinks triggers the transcriptional derepression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in adipocytes, the recruitment of macrophages to sites of tissue damage and the destruction of white adipose tissue depots in NER-defective animals. However, unless one considers the impact of functional asymmetry in age-related diseases, it is rather difficult to appreciate why the adipose tissue would be particularly sensitive to the NER defect. In this respect, a closer look at adipose tissue biology has proven valuable. The oxidation of fats and oils forms radicals capable of crosslinking DNA; in white adipose tissue, where lipids are most abundant, lipid peroxidation would further propagate the formation of irreparable DNA inter-strand crosslinks in ERCC1-defectice adipocytes. Moreover, the adipose tissue itself resembles an ancestral immune organ in many aspects; adipose lineage cells display macrophage properties, adipocytes secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines and the great majority of adipocytes that are located close to lymph nodes are known to interact with lymphoid cells (Caspar-Bauguil Set al., FEBS letters. 2005; 17:3487-3492). Taken together, the NER defect itself, lipid peroxidation and the inherent propensity of adipocytes to activate innate immune responses upon stress could establish self-perpetuating pro-inflammatory cycles. Evidently, the links existing between the adipose tissue and the immune system have evolved to allow injured cells to rapidly communicate their compromised state to the microenvironment; however, the accumulation of irreparable DNA lesions in NER-deficient animals or the gradual wear and tear of adipocytes with aging could establish a chronic inflammatory state leading to adipose tissue degeneration and, in turn, to systemic metabolic dysfunction.

Chromium(VI) Causes Interstrand DNA Cross-Linking in Vitro but Shows No Hypersensitivity in Cross-Link Repair-Deficient Human Cells

Hexavalent chromium is a human carcinogen activated primarily by direct reduction with cellular ascorbate and to a lesser extent, by glutathione. Cr(III), the final product of Cr(VI) reduction, forms six bonds allowing intermolecular cross-linking. In this work, we investigated the ability of Cr(VI) to cause interstrand DNA cross-links (ICLs) whose formation mechanisms and presence in human cells are currently uncertain. We found that in vitro reduction of Cr(VI) with glutathione showed a sublinear production of ICLs, the yield of which was less than 1% of total Cr-DNA adducts at the optimal conditions. Formation of ICLs in fast ascorbate-Cr(VI) reactions occurred during a short reduction interval and displayed a linear dose dependence with the average yield of 1.3% of total adducts. In vitro production of ICLs was strongly suppressed by increasing buffer molarity, indicating inhibitory effects of ligand-Cr(III) binding on the formation of cross-linking species. The presence of ICLs in human cells was assessed from the impact of ICL repair deficiencies on Cr(VI) responses. We found that ascorbate-restored FANCD2-null and isogenic FANCD2-complemented cells showed similar cell cycle inhibition and toxicity by Cr(VI). XPA-null cells are defective in the repair of Cr-DNA monoadducts, but stable knockdowns of ERCC1 or XPF in these cells with extended time for the completion of cross-linking reactions did not produce any sensitization to Cr(VI). Our results together with chemical and steric considerations of Cr(III) reactivity suggest that ICL generation by chromate is probably an in vitro phenomenon occurring at conditions permitting the formation of Cr(III) oligomers.