Nucleoside Kinase Research Articles

KSHV-TK is a tyrosine kinase that disrupts focal adhesions and induces Rho-mediated cell contraction.

Paradoxically, the thymidine kinase (TK) encoded by Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is an extremely inefficient nucleoside kinase, when compared to TKs from related herpesviruses. We now show that KSHV-TK, in contrast to HSV1-TK, associates with the actin cytoskeleton and induces extensive cell contraction followed by membrane blebbing. These dramatic changes in cell morphology depend on the auto-phosphorylation of tyrosines 65, 85 and 120 in the N-terminus of KSHV-TK. Phosphorylation of tyrosines 65/85 and 120 results in an interaction with Crk family proteins and the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3-Kinase, respectively. The interaction of Crk with KSHV-TK leads to tyrosine phoshorylation of this cellular adaptor. Auto-phosphorylation of KSHV-TK also induces a loss of FAK and paxillin from focal adhesions, resulting in activation of RhoA-ROCK signalling to myosin II and cell contraction. In the absence of FAK or paxillin, KSHV-TK has no effect on focal adhesion integrity or cell morphology. Our observations demonstrate that by acting as a tyrosine kinase, KSHV-TK modulates signalling and cell morphology.

Long Term Expression of Drosophila melanogaster Nucleoside Kinase in Thymidine Kinase 2-deficient Mice with No Lethal Effects Caused by Nucleotide Pool Imbalances

Mitochondrial DNA depletion caused by thymidine kinase 2 (TK2) deficiency can be compensated by a nucleoside kinase from Drosophila melanogaster (Dm-dNK) in mice. We show that transgene expression of Dm-dNK in Tk2 knock-out (Tk2(-/-)) mice extended the life span of Tk2(-/-) mice from 3 weeks to at least 20 months. The Dm-dNK(+/-)Tk2(-/-) mice maintained normal mitochondrial DNA levels throughout the observation time. A significant difference in total body weight due to the reduction of subcutaneous and visceral fat in the Dm-dNK(+/-)Tk2(-/-) mice was the only visible difference compared with control mice. This indicates an effect on fat metabolism mediated through residual Tk2 deficiency because Dm-dNK expression was low in both liver and fat tissues. Dm-dNK expression led to increased dNTP pools and an increase in the catabolism of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides but these alterations did not apparently affect the mice during the 20 months of observation. In conclusion, Dm-dNK expression in the cell nucleus expanded the total dNTP pools to levels required for efficient mitochondrial DNA synthesis, thereby compensated the Tk2 deficiency, during a normal life span of the mice. The Dm-dNK(+/-) mouse serves as a model for nucleoside gene or enzyme substitutions, nucleotide imbalances, and dNTP alterations in different tissues.

29 TAS-114 is a novel dUTPase/DPD inhibitor, its DPD inhibition reduces capecitabine dosage but does not diminish therapeutic window in human tumor xenografts

Background: TAS-102 (Lonsurf) consists of trifluridine (FTD) and tipiracil hydrochloride (TPI), at a molar ratio of 1:0.5. FTD is a thymidine analog and the antitumor component of TAS-102. TPI prevents degradation of FTD by thymidine phosphorylase in liver. TAS-102 was found to significantly improve overall survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that is refractory/intolerable to the standard chemotherapies in a global Phase III study. The mechanism of FTD is considered to be based on its incorporation into DNA, however its intracellular metabolism is not completely defined. Here, we investigate the cellular uptake and phosphorylation of FTD, and substrate specificity of incorporation into DNA by DNA polymerase a. Material and Methods: Intra-cellular uptake of FTD was evaluated with nucleoside transporter specific inhibitors, NBMPR and dipyridamole. Substrate specificity for nucleoside kinase and nucleotide phosphorylase was evaluated with recombinant proteins. DNA elongation with FTD triphosphate (F3dTTP) by DNA polymerase a was analyzed. The levels of FTD incorporated into DNA were analyzed with [H]FTD or LC-MS/MS. Results: FTD was transported via ENT1 and ENT2 into cytoplasm, and was phosphorylated by thymidine kinase 1 as effectively as dThd. F3dTTP was not recognized by dUTPase, whereas FdUrd-triphosphate was degraded to monophosphate form. F3dTTP was inserted at the opposite site of adenine by DNA polymerase a. DNA extension was effectively carried out at the site of inserted FTD, and was evident on the single strand DNA template inserted FTD.The level of FTD incorporated into DNA was much higher than that of FdUrd in vitro, and FTD remained in DNA after the FTD removal from culturing medium. In vivo study also showed high FTD accumulation in tumor implanted in nude mice. Nucleosomal abnormalities such as swollen nuclei and decreased hetero-chromatin were observed in the cells treated with FTD. Conclusions: These results indicate that FTD is recognized and activated through the thymidine salvage pathway highly up-regulated in tumor, and incorporated into DNA during DNA replicating phase like the natural substrate dThd. FTD might exert antitumor activity by nucleosomal abnormalities caused by high level FTD incorporation into DNA. These unique properties might underlie the clinical benefit of prolonged survival of colorectal cancer patients treated with TAS-102 after failure on prior 5-FU based chemotherapy.

28 Characterization of the type of cell death induced by novel tambjamine analogs in lung cancer

Background: TAS-102 (Lonsurf) consists of trifluridine (FTD) and tipiracil hydrochloride (TPI), at a molar ratio of 1:0.5. FTD is a thymidine analog and the antitumor component of TAS-102. TPI prevents degradation of FTD by thymidine phosphorylase in liver. TAS-102 was found to significantly improve overall survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that is refractory/intolerable to the standard chemotherapies in a global Phase III study. The mechanism of FTD is considered to be based on its incorporation into DNA, however its intracellular metabolism is not completely defined. Here, we investigate the cellular uptake and phosphorylation of FTD, and substrate specificity of incorporation into DNA by DNA polymerase a. Material and Methods: Intra-cellular uptake of FTD was evaluated with nucleoside transporter specific inhibitors, NBMPR and dipyridamole. Substrate specificity for nucleoside kinase and nucleotide phosphorylase was evaluated with recombinant proteins. DNA elongation with FTD triphosphate (F3dTTP) by DNA polymerase a was analyzed. The levels of FTD incorporated into DNA were analyzed with [H]FTD or LC-MS/MS. Results: FTD was transported via ENT1 and ENT2 into cytoplasm, and was phosphorylated by thymidine kinase 1 as effectively as dThd. F3dTTP was not recognized by dUTPase, whereas FdUrd-triphosphate was degraded to monophosphate form. F3dTTP was inserted at the opposite site of adenine by DNA polymerase a. DNA extension was effectively carried out at the site of inserted FTD, and was evident on the single strand DNA template inserted FTD.The level of FTD incorporated into DNA was much higher than that of FdUrd in vitro, and FTD remained in DNA after the FTD removal from culturing medium. In vivo study also showed high FTD accumulation in tumor implanted in nude mice. Nucleosomal abnormalities such as swollen nuclei and decreased hetero-chromatin were observed in the cells treated with FTD. Conclusions: These results indicate that FTD is recognized and activated through the thymidine salvage pathway highly up-regulated in tumor, and incorporated into DNA during DNA replicating phase like the natural substrate dThd. FTD might exert antitumor activity by nucleosomal abnormalities caused by high level FTD incorporation into DNA. These unique properties might underlie the clinical benefit of prolonged survival of colorectal cancer patients treated with TAS-102 after failure on prior 5-FU based chemotherapy.

27 TAS-102 treatment results in high trifluridine incorporation into DNA with pyrimidine metabolic pathway markedly up-regulated in cancer

Background: TAS-102 (Lonsurf) consists of trifluridine (FTD) and tipiracil hydrochloride (TPI), at a molar ratio of 1:0.5. FTD is a thymidine analog and the antitumor component of TAS-102. TPI prevents degradation of FTD by thymidine phosphorylase in liver. TAS-102 was found to significantly improve overall survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that is refractory/intolerable to the standard chemotherapies in a global Phase III study. The mechanism of FTD is considered to be based on its incorporation into DNA, however its intracellular metabolism is not completely defined. Here, we investigate the cellular uptake and phosphorylation of FTD, and substrate specificity of incorporation into DNA by DNA polymerase a. Material and Methods: Intra-cellular uptake of FTD was evaluated with nucleoside transporter specific inhibitors, NBMPR and dipyridamole. Substrate specificity for nucleoside kinase and nucleotide phosphorylase was evaluated with recombinant proteins. DNA elongation with FTD triphosphate (F3dTTP) by DNA polymerase a was analyzed. The levels of FTD incorporated into DNA were analyzed with [H]FTD or LC-MS/MS. Results: FTD was transported via ENT1 and ENT2 into cytoplasm, and was phosphorylated by thymidine kinase 1 as effectively as dThd. F3dTTP was not recognized by dUTPase, whereas FdUrd-triphosphate was degraded to monophosphate form. F3dTTP was inserted at the opposite site of adenine by DNA polymerase a. DNA extension was effectively carried out at the site of inserted FTD, and was evident on the single strand DNA template inserted FTD.The level of FTD incorporated into DNA was much higher than that of FdUrd in vitro, and FTD remained in DNA after the FTD removal from culturing medium. In vivo study also showed high FTD accumulation in tumor implanted in nude mice. Nucleosomal abnormalities such as swollen nuclei and decreased hetero-chromatin were observed in the cells treated with FTD. Conclusions: These results indicate that FTD is recognized and activated through the thymidine salvage pathway highly up-regulated in tumor, and incorporated into DNA during DNA replicating phase like the natural substrate dThd. FTD might exert antitumor activity by nucleosomal abnormalities caused by high level FTD incorporation into DNA. These unique properties might underlie the clinical benefit of prolonged survival of colorectal cancer patients treated with TAS-102 after failure on prior 5-FU based chemotherapy.

From the covalent linkage of drugs to novel inhibitors of ribonucleotide reductase: Synthesis and biological evaluation of valproic esters of 3′-C-methyladenosine

We synthesized a series of serum-stable covalently linked drugs derived from 3′-C-methyladenosine (3′-Me-Ado) and valproic acid (VPA), which are ribonucleotide reductase (RR) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, respectively. While the combination of free VPA and 3′-Me-Ado resulted in a clear synergistic apoptotic effect, the conjugates had lost their HDAC inhibitory effect as well as the corresponding apoptotic activity. Two of the analogs, 2′,5′-bis-O-valproyl-3′-C-methyladenosine (A160) and 5′-O-valproyl-3′-C-methyladenosine (A167), showed promising cytotoxic activities against human hematological and solid cancer cell lines. A167 was less potent than A160 but had interesting features as an RR inhibitor. It inhibited RR activity by competing with ATP as an allosteric effector and concomitantly reduced the intracellular deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pools. A167 represents a novel lead compound, which in contrast to previously used RR nucleoside analogs does not require intracellular kinases for its activity and therefore holds promise against drug resistant tumors with downregulated nucleoside kinases.

Construction of plasmid vector pAFP-HSVtk-IRES2-EGFP and its effect on the cytotoxicity of ganciclovir to hepatocellular carcinoma

Background Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase phosphorylates ganciclovir to ganciclovir monophosphate, which is then converted to ganciclovir triphosphate by endogenous cellular nucleoside kinases. The ganciclovir triphosphate acts as a DNA chain terminator due to the lack of a functional 3′-OH group and terminates the process of DNA replication, hence leading to cell apoptosis. At present, HSVtk gene usually acts as suicide gene to kill tumor cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the selective cytotoxicity of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSVtK/GCV) suicide gene system controlled by the α-fetoprotein (AFP) promoter on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in vitro. Methods pAFP-HSVtk-IRES2-EGFP recombinant plasmid vectors driven by the AFP promoter were constructed. HL-7702 liver cells, HUH-7 HCC, and HepG2 HCC were transfected with the recombinant plasmids. HSVtK gene expression was detected using Western blotting analysis. HepG2 cells line stably expressing HSVtk gene was selected by G418 reagent. The cytotoxicity of HSVtK/GCV suicide gene system on hepatoma cells was measured by CCK-8 reagents when different doses of ganciclovir were added. Results Plasmid pAFP-TK-IRES2-EGFP-expressed HSVtk gene was constructed successfully. HSVtk gene expression level was significantly higher in AFP-positive hepatoma cells than in AFP-negative liver cells. After G418 selection, a HepG2 cells line stably expressing HSVtk gene was acquired. With the increase of the dose of ganciclovir the optical density at 450 nm of HepG2 cells stably expressing HSVtk gene gradually decreased (P <0.05). Conclusion The HSVtK gene-specific expression in hepatoma cells as well as the cytotoxicity of the suicide gene system in HepG2 cells provided the basis for the targeted gene therapy of HCC.

Purification and characterization of guanylate kinase, a nucleoside monophosphate kinase of Brugia malayi.

Guanylate kinase, a nucleoside monophosphate kinase of Brugia malayi which is involved in reversible transfer of phosphate groups from ATP to GMP, was cloned, expressed and characterized. The native molecular mass of BmGK was found to be 45 kDa as determined by size exclusion chromatography and glutaraldehyde cross-linking which revealed that the protein is homodimer in nature. This is a unique characteristic among known eukaryotic GKs. GMP and ATP served as the most effective phosphate acceptor and donor, respectively. Recombinant BmGK utilized both GMP and dGMP, as substrates showing Km values of 30 and 38 μ m, respectively. Free Mg+2 (un-complexed to ATP) and GTP play a regulatory role in catalysis of BmGK. The enzyme showed higher catalytic efficiency as compared with human GK and showed ternary complex (BmGK-GMP-ATP) formation with sequential substrate binding. The secondary structure of BmGK consisted of 45% α-helices, 18% β-sheets as revealed by CD analysis. Homology modelling and docking with GMP revealed conserved substrate binding residues with slight differences. Differences in kinetic properties and oligomerization of BmGK compared with human GK can provide the way for design of parasite-specific inhibitors.

Nucleoside kinases in adult Schistosoma mansoni: Phosphorylation of pyrimidine nucleosides

Competition studies and column chromatography demonstrated that adults Schistosoma mansoni contains three nucleoside kinases that can phosphorylate pyrimidine nucleosides; a non-specific deoxyriboside kinase (EC 2.7.1.145), a specific uridine kinase and a specific cytidine kinase. The non-specific deoxyriboside kinase can phosphorylate all naturally occurring pyrimidine and purine 2′-deoxyribosides. Uridine and cytidine kinases are specific for uridine and cytidine, respectively. Various nucleoside 5′-triphosphate act as phosphate donors for the three kinases albeit to different degrees. Nucleoside kinases are critical in the activation of potential anti-parasitic drugs which may be identified among the numerous available pyrimidine nucleoside analogues. The finding that S. mansoni have nucleoside kinases that differ from their host enzymes raises the possibilities that certain pyrimidine nucleoside analogues could be selectively toxic to schistosomes.

Phosphorylation of Nucleoside-Metallacarborane and Carborane Conjugates by Nucleoside Kinases

A library of purine and pyrimidine nucleosides modified with carborane or metallacarborane boron clusters at different locations, consisting of new molecules as well as already described compounds, was prepared. The compounds were tested as substrates for human deoxynucleoside kinases. Some conjugates, with modification attached to N3 of thymidine via a linker containing the triazole moiety, were efficiently phosphorylated by cytosolic thymidine kinase 1 and mitochondrial thymidine kinase 2. Higher phosphorylation levels were observed with thymidine kinase 1, the phosphorylation of nucleosides modified with metallacarboranes was observed for the first time.

Therapeutic Perspectives for cN-II in Cancer.

The cytoplasmic 5'-nucleotidase cN-II is involved in the regulation of endogenous pools of nucleosides and nucleotides together with nucleoside kinases and other intracellular enzymes. A series of results from studies on preclinical models and clinical samples constitutes the basis of the hypothesis in which cN-II is a therapeutic target in cancer. Indeed, the inhibition of its enzymatic activity seems interesting both to induce cell death directly and to increase the anticancer activity of cytotoxic agents used in cancer treatment. Here we will review the current knowledge of the enzymatic function of cN-II together with available structural data and the studies on cN-II in cancer cells and in samples from cancer patients. Recent and ongoing research on cN-II inhibitors is expected to confirm the druggability and the relevance of cN-II as a cancer drug target. Preliminary in vitro data and cancer cell models using cN-II inhibitors have already suggested the pivotal role of this enzyme as therapeutic target allowing the improvement of anticancer treatments.

Transgene Expression of Drosophila melanogaster Nucleoside Kinase Reverses Mitochondrial Thymidine Kinase 2 Deficiency

A strategy to reverse the symptoms of thymidine kinase 2 (TK2) deficiency in a mouse model was investigated. The nucleoside kinase from Drosophila melanogaster (Dm-dNK) was expressed in TK2-deficient mice that have been shown to present with a severe phenotype caused by mitochondrial DNA depletion. The Dm-dNK(+/-) transgenic mice were shown to be able to rescue the TK2-deficient mice. The Dm-dNK(+/-)TK2(-/-) mice were normal as judged by growth and behavior during the observation time of 6 months. The Dm-dNK-expressing mice showed a substantial increase in thymidine-phosphorylating activity in investigated tissues. The Dm-dNK expression also resulted in highly elevated dTTP pools. The dTTP pool alterations did not cause specific mitochondrial DNA mutations or deletions when 6-month-old mice were analyzed. The mitochondrial DNA was also detected at normal levels. In conclusion, the Dm-dNK(+/-)TK2(-/-) mouse model illustrates how dTMP synthesized in the cell nucleus can compensate for loss of intramitochondrial dTMP synthesis in differentiated tissue. The data presented open new possibilities to treat the severe symptoms of TK2 deficiency.

A broad specificity nucleoside kinase from Thermoplasma acidophilum

The crystal structure of Ta0880, determined at 1.91 Å resolution, from Thermoplasma acidophilum revealed a dimer with each monomer composed of an α/β/α sandwich domain and a smaller lid domain. The overall fold belongs to the PfkB family of carbohydrate kinases (a family member of the Ribokinase clan) which include ribokinases, 1-phosphofructokinases, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase, inosine/guanosine kinases, fructokinases, adenosine kinases, and many more. Based on its general fold, Ta0880 had been annotated as a ribokinase-like protein. Using a coupled pyruvate kinase/lactate dehydrogenase assay, the activity of Ta0880 was assessed against a variety of ribokinase/pfkB-like family substrates; activity was not observed for ribose, fructose-1-phosphate, or fructose-6-phosphate. Based on structural similarity with nucleoside kinases (NK) from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii (MjNK, PDB 2C49, and 2C4E) and Burkholderia thailandensis (BtNK, PDB 3B1O), nucleoside kinase activity was investigated. Ta0880 (TaNK) was confirmed to have nucleoside kinase activity with an apparent KM for guanosine of 0.21 μM and catalytic efficiency of 345,000 M(-1) s(-1) . These three NKs have significantly different substrate, phosphate donor, and cation specificities and comparisons of specificity and structure identified residues likely responsible for the nucleoside substrate selectivity. Phylogenetic analysis identified three clusters within the PfkB family and indicates that TaNK is a member of a new sub-family with broad nucleoside specificities. Proteins 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Thymidine phosphorylation by transgene expression of the Drosophila melanogaster nucleoside kinase rescues the pathology of mitochondrial TK2 deficiency

Thymidine phosphorylation by transgene expression of the Drosophila melanogaster nucleoside kinase rescues the pathology of mitochondrial TK2 deficiency

Gemcitabine is active against clinical multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus strains and is synergistic with gentamicin

This study provides insight into the antibacterial activity of the cytotoxic nucleoside analogue gemcitabine against clinical multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. Classical methods were used for determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and synergy in vitro, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were sequenced to search for mutations in nucleoside kinase genes in resistant strains. Gemcitabine and its derivative CP-4126 were effective against meticillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), meticillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and glycopeptide-intermediate S. aureus (GISA) isolates, with MICs ranging between 0.06mg/L and 4.22mg/L. Bactericidal activity was shown in time–kill studies as well as synergy with gentamicin. Mutations in the nucleoside kinase gene SadAK were observed in resistant strains, indicating a role for this enzyme in gemcitabine activity. Nucleoside analogues have antimicrobial activity and these results could be used for further identification and development of new antibiotics.

Correlated Tissue Expression of Genes of Cytoplasmic and Mitochondrial Nucleotide Metabolisms in Normal Tissues is Disrupted in Transformed Tissues

Cells maintain dual metabolic pathways to provide substrates for the replication of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. These pathways involve two separate sets of genes in the nuclear DNA, with one set encoding proteins targeted to the mitochondrion. However, the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial metabolisms are capable of communication through the transport of deoxyribonucleosides and deoxyribonucleotides between the two subcellular compartments. Cytoplasmic and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate concentrations are strongly correlated in normal cells but not in transformed cells. We were therefore interested in comparing the interactions in normal and transformed tissues between the corresponding cytoplasmic and mitochondrial metabolisms that produce deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. We conducted an analysis of gene expression data in normal and transformed human tissues obtained from the UniGene database for a selected set of genes for proteins involved in nucleoside salvage in either the cytoplasm or mitochondria. We also included ribonucleotide reductase in our analysis due to its importance in generating deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. This analysis revealed a large number of highly significant positive correlations between the tissue expression profiles of the genes of the mitochondrial and cytoplasmic pathways in normal tissues, indicating that in normal tissues, the two metabolisms coordinately generate deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. In transformed tissues, this correlation structure was disrupted. Multiple correlations involving the mitochondrial nucleoside kinase gene DGUOK were statistically significantly different between normal and transformed tissues, suggesting that control of DGUOK expression relative to other cytoplasmic genes is important in transformed tissues. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of (Nucleosides, Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids) for the following free supplemental resource(s): Supplementary figure 1, Supplementary figure 2, Gandhi_Samuels_Gene_Expression_Supplemental_file.xls (Vol. 31, No. 2)]

Fluorescence detection of GDP in real time with the reagentless biosensor rhodamine–ParM

The development of novel fluorescence methods for the detection of key biomolecules is of great interest, both in basic research and in drug discovery. Particularly relevant and widespread molecules in cells are ADP and GDP, which are the products of a large number of cellular reactions, including reactions catalysed by nucleoside triphosphatases and kinases. Previously, biosensors for ADP were developed in this laboratory, based on fluorophore adducts with the bacterial actin homologue ParM. It is shown in the present study that one of these biosensors, tetramethylrhodamine–ParM, can also monitor GDP. The biosensor can be used to measure micromolar concentrations of GDP on the background of millimolar concentrations of GTP. The fluorescence response of the biosensor is fast, the response time being <0.2 s. Thus the biosensor allows real-time measurements of GTPase and GTP-dependent kinase reactions. Applications of the GDP biosensor are exemplified with two different GTPases, measuring the rates of GTP hydrolysis and nucleotide exchange.

Structures ofBurkholderia thailandensisnucleoside kinase: implications for the catalytic mechanism and nucleoside selectivity

The nucleoside kinase (NK) from the mesophilic Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia thailandensis (BthNK) is a member of the phosphofructokinase B (Pfk-B) family and catalyzes the Mg(2+)- and ATP-dependent phosphorylation of a broad range of nucleosides such as inosine (INO), adenosine (ADO) and mizoribine (MZR). BthNK is currently used in clinical practice to measure serum MZR levels. Here, crystal structures of BthNK in a ligand-free form and in complexes with INO, INO-ADP, MZR-ADP and AMP-Mg(2+)-AMP are described. The typical homodimeric architecture of Pfk-B enzymes was detected in three distinct conformational states: an asymmetric dimer with one subunit in an open conformation and the other in a closed conformation (the ligand-free form), a closed conformation (the binary complex with INO) and a fully closed conformation (the other ternary and quaternary complexes). The previously unreported fully closed structures suggest the possibility that Mg(2+) might directly interact with the β- and γ-phosphates of ATP to maintain neutralization of the negative charge throughout the reaction. The nucleoside-complex structures also showed that the base moiety of the bound nucleoside is partly exposed to the solvent, thereby enabling the recognition of a wide range of nucleoside bases. Gly170 is responsible for the solvent accessibility of the base moiety and is assumed to be a key residue for the broad nucleoside recognition of BthNK. Remarkably, the G170Q mutation increases the specificity of BthNK for ADO. These findings provide insight into the conformational dynamics, catalytic mechanism and nucleoside selectivity of BthNK and related enzymes.

Metabolic Network of Nucleosides in the Brain

Brain relies on circulating nucleosides, mainly synthesised de novo in the liver, for the synthesis of nucleotides, RNA, nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, coenzymes, and pyrimidine sugar- and lipid-conjugates. Essentially, the paths of nucleoside salvage in the brain include a two step conversion of inosine and guanosine to IMP and GMP, respectively, and a one step conversion of adenosine, uridine, and cytidine, to AMP, UMP, and CMP, respectively. With the exception of IMP, the other four nucleoside monophosphates are converted to their respective triphosphates via two successive phosphorylation steps. Brain ribonucleotide reductase converts nucleoside diphosphates to their deoxy counterparts. The delicate qualitative and quantitative balance of intracellular brain nucleoside triphosphates is maintained by the relative concentrations of circulating nucleosides, the specificity and the K(m) values of the transport systems and of cytosolic and mitochondrial nucleoside kinases and 5'-nucleotidases, and the relative rates of nucleoside triphosphate extracellular release. A cross talk between extra- and intra-cellular nucleoside metabolism exists, in which released nucleoside triphosphates, utilised as neuroactive signals, are catabolised by a membrane bound ectonucleotidase cascade system to their respective nucleosides, which are uptaken into brain cytosol, and converted back to nucleoside triphosphates by the salvage enzymes. Finally, phosphorolysis of brain nucleosides generates pentose phosphates, which are utilised for nucleoside interconversion, 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate synthesis, and energy repletion. This review focuses on these aspects of brain nucleoside metabolism, with the aim of giving a comprehensive picture of the metabolic network of nucleosides in normoxic conditions, with some hints on the derangements in anoxic/ischemic conditions.

Synthesis, modeling and evaluation of 3′-(1-aryl-1H-tetrazol-5-ylamino)-substituted 3′-deoxythymidine derivatives as potent and selective human mitochondrial thymidine kinase inhibitors

Based on the presumed binding mode of an earlier identified inhibitor, we herein report new 3'-modified nucleosides as potent and selective inhibitors of mitochondrial thymidine kinase (TK2). A series of thirteen 3'-amino-, 3'-guanidino- and 3'-tetrazole-containing nucleosides were synthesized and evaluated for their TK2 inhibitory activity. Within the tetrazole series, compounds with nanomolar inhibitory activity were identified. A homology model of TK2 allowed to elucidate the observed activities. Introduction of a 2-bromovinyl group on C-5 of the pyrimidine base of the most promising 3'-derivative further improved the inhibitory activity, and caused a significant increase in the selectivity for TK2 versus TK1. Interestingly, for the current series of analogues, a strong correlation was observed between TK2 and Drosophila melanogaster dNK inhibition, further substantiating the phylogenetic relationship between these two nucleoside kinases.