SF188 Cells Research Articles

O6-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase Regulation by p53 in Astrocytic Cells

Methylation of the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene promoter (i.e., gene silencing) occurs in 40% to 50% of patients with glioblastoma and predicts benefit from temozolomide chemotherapy; when unmethylated, MGMT repairs DNA damage induced by temozolomide, contributing to chemoresistance. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that MGMT is regulated by p53 in astrocytic cells, the precursors of which may give rise to glioblastoma. p53 is of interest because, in addition to often being mutated in glioblastoma, inactivation sensitizes some astrocytoma cell lines to temozolomide. MGMT expression was examined in neonatal murine astrocytes and SF767 human astrocytic glioma cells following p53 inactivation by knockout (murine only) or RNAi methods. MGMT mRNA and protein were detected in murine wild-type p53 astrocytes. However, in knockout murine astrocytes and wild-type cells in which p53 was inhibited by RNAi, MGMT expression was reduced by >90%. This effect of p53 on MGMT expression was unrelated to MGMT promoter methylation-in both wild-type and p53-null astrocytes, the MGMT promoter was unmethylated. In wild-type astrocytes, the p53 protein localized to a regulatory region of the MGMT promoter. In SF767 human astrocytic glioma cells, transient knockdown of p53 led to the down-regulation of MGMT gene expression. In murine astrocytes and SF767 cells, p53 regulates MGMT expression without affecting promoter methylation; in astrocytes, this effect may be due to direct binding of p53 to the MGMT promoter. These results imply that the best use of temozolomide requires a thorough understanding of MGMT regulation.

Treatment schedule is of importance when gefitinib is combined with irradiation of glioma and endothelial cells in vitro

Amplified epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling is supposed to contribute to clinical radiation resistance of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Therefore, inhibition of EGFR signaling pathways by the selective EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, gefitinib (ZD1839, Iressa), may increase the therapeutic effects of radiotherapy. The effects of different schedules for administration of gefitinib on sensitivity to irradiation of the human glioma cell lines (251MG and SF-767), a rat glioma cell line (BT4C), and an immortalized rat brain endothelial cell line (RBE4) is reported. Differences in effects of the combined treatment on cell toxicity were determined by a fluorometric cytotoxicity assay, and nuclear DNA fragmentation was used for quantification of apoptosis. Pre-administration with gefitinib for 30 min prior to irradiation followed by continuous incubation with gefitinib significantly increased the cytotoxicity of SF-767, BT4C, and RBE4 cells. However, the human glioma cell line 251MG was protected against radiation-induced damage by this treatment schedule, at lower concentrations of gefitinib. Pre-administration with gefitinib for 24 h prior to irradiation without following incubation with gefitinib increased the cytotoxicity of SF-767 and BT4C cells. Post-irradiation treatment with gefitinib significantly increased the cytotoxicity in all cell lines except for 251MG. We demonstrated heterogeneity in the cytotoxic effects of gefitinib between cell lines. Response to gefitinib might be due to other mechanisms than through the EGF receptor as some of the cell lines showed sensitivity to gefitinib despite no or low expression of EGFR. This study also demonstrates the importance of timing of gefitinib administration when this agent is combined with irradiation.

Verotoxin-1 induction of apoptosis in Gb3-expressing human glioma cell lines

The aim of this study was to examine the cytotoxicity and mechanism of apoptosis induction of verotoxin-1 (VT-1) in human glioma cell lines. VT-1 is a member of the shiga-toxin family expressed by some serotypes of Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae. Shiga-toxins have been shown to induce apoptosis by binding to its membrane receptor Gb3. The human glioma cell lines SF-767, U-343 MG, and U-251 MG were studied together with BT4C, a rat glioma cell line. Cells were first screened for Gb3 expression by flow cytometry. Fluorescein diacetate was used to determine cell viability after VT-1 and irradiation exposure and apoptosis was studied by TUNEL staining, a mitochondrial membrane potential assay, and caspase activity assays. SF-767 and U-343 MG cells were found to express Gb3 and were also sensitive to VT-1-induced cytotoxicity, whereas non-Gb3-expressing U-251 MG and BT4C glioma cells were not. VT-1 depolarized the mitochondrial membrane and activated caspase-9 and -3 of SF-767 and U-343 MG cells. VT-1 exposure for 72 h resulted in approx. 60 and 90% TUNEL-stained cells, respectively. D,L-Threo-1-phenyl-2-palmitoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PPMP) an inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthesis was used to block Gb3 synthesis. Two ?mol/L PPMP for 72 h abolished SF-767 and U-343 MG expression of Gb3 and made the cells completely resistant to VT-1 induced apoptosis. Key components of MAP kinase signalling pathways that control BAX and mitochondrial function were investigated. VT-1 induced JNK phosphorylation in both cell lines, suggesting that survival signal pathways were overruled by VT-1-induced JNK activation leading to mitochondrial depolarization, caspase-9 activation and apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry of cryostat section from glioma biopsies demonstrated expression of Gb3 was in the vascular endothelial cells as well as tumour cells, but not in astrocytes. The high specificity and apoptosis inducing properties of verotoxin-1 indicates that the toxin may be a potential anti-neoplastic agent for Gb3-expressing gliomas.

EphB4 controls blood vascular morphogenesis during postnatal angiogenesis

Guidance molecules have attracted interest by demonstration that they regulate patterning of the blood vascular system during development. However, their significance during postnatal angiogenesis has remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate that endothelial cells of human malignant brain tumors also express guidance molecules, such as EphB4 and its ligand ephrinB2. To study their function, EphB4 variants were overexpressed in blood vessels of tumor xenografts. Our studies revealed that EphB4 acts as a negative regulator of blood vessel branching and vascular network formation, switching the vascularization program from sprouting angiogenesis to circumferential vessel growth. In parallel, EphB4 reduces the permeability of the tumor vascular system via activation of the angiopoietin-1/Tie2 system at the endothelium/pericyte interface. Furthermore, overexpression of EphB4 variants in blood vessels during (i) vascularization of non-neoplastic cell grafts and (ii) retinal vascularization revealed that these functions of EphB4 apply to postnatal, non-neoplastic angiogenesis in general. This implies that both neoplastic and non-neoplastic vascularization is driven not only by a vascular initiation program but also by a vascular patterning program mediated by guidance molecules.

Changes in Gene and Protein Expression in Magnetic Field–Treated Human Glioma Cells

Because few cancer studies have examined protein profiles and genetic regulation from a single carcinogen exposure, the objective of this study was to determine genetic change via microarray and to evaluate whether that change was a precursor to cellular protein changes. In separate but experimentally identical studies, human glioma SF767 cells were exposed for 3 h to 60-Hz magnetic fields (sham or 1.2 μT). Microarray results suggested that magnetic field treatment resulted in the up-regulation of 5 genes, whereas 25 genes were down-regulated. The mean abundance of 10 identified proteins was altered following 1.2 μT exposure relative to sham (3 increase, 7 decrease). These studies suggest a limited but complicated response in the glioma cells to the magnetic field treatment.

Identification of a hTid-1 mutation which sensitizes gliomas to apoptosis

Human Tid-1 (hTid-1) is a DnaJ chaperone protein with homology to the Drosophila tumor suppressor Tid56. We report the first case of a tumor-associated mutation at the human TID1 locus, which was identified in the SF767 glioma cell line giving rise to aberrantly high levels of a hTid-1 L mutant variant. In this study, we set out to determine whether this change in hTid-1 status influences the response of glioma cells to adenoviral (Ad)-mediated delivery of the two major isoforms of TID1, hTid-1 L and hTid-1 S. Ad-hTid-1 S induced apoptosis in hTid-1 mutant SF767 cells, while causing growth arrest in wild-type hTid-1-expressing U373 and U87 cells. By contrast, Ad-hTid-1 L infection had no apparent effect on glioma cell growth. The apoptosis induced by hTid-1 S was accompanied by mitochondrial cytochrome C release and caspase activation and blocked by stable overexpression of Bcl-X L. Our findings suggest that the status of hTid-1 in gliomas may contribute to their susceptibility to cell death triggers.

Biochemical changes associated with a multidrug-resistant phenotype of a human glioma cell line with temozolomide-acquired resistance

Temozolomide (TMZ) is a newly approved alkylating agent for the treatment of malignant gliomas. To investigate resistance mechanisms in a multidrug therapeutic approach, a TMZ-resistant human glioma cell line, SF188/TR, was established by stepwise exposure of human SF188 parental cells to TMZ for approximately 6 months. SF188/TR showed 6-fold resistance to TMZ and cross-resistance to a broad spectrum of other anticancer agents that included 3–5-fold resistance to melphalan (MEL), gemcitabine (GEM), paclitaxel (PAC), methotrexate (MTX), and doxorubicin (DOX), and 1.6–2-fold resistance to cisplatin (CDDP) and topotecan (TPT). Alkylguanine alkyltransferase (AGT) activity was increased significantly in the resistant cell line compared with the parental cell line ( P<0.05), whereas no significant differences occurred in the cellular uptake of TMZ and PAC between resistant and parental cells. Depletion of AGT by O 6-benzylguanine significantly increased the cytotoxicity of TMZ in both the sensitive and resistant cell lines, but did not influence the cytotoxicity of the other drugs tested. Treatment with TMZ caused SF188 cells to accumulate in S phase, whereas SF188/TR cells were unaffected. Expression of Bcl-2 family members in SF188/TR cells compared with SF188 cells indicated that the pro-apoptotic proteins (i.e. Bad, Bax, Bcl-X S) were reduced 2–4-fold in the resistant cell line, whereas the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-X L were expressed at similar levels in both cell lines. In conclusion, the mechanism of resistance of SF188/TR cells to TMZ involved increased activity of AGT, a primary resistance mechanism, whereas the broad cross-resistance pattern to other anticancer drugs was due to a common secondary resistance mechanism related to alterations in the relative expression of the pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins.

Boronated protoporphyrin (BOPP): localization in lysosomes of the human glioma cell line SF-767 with uptake modulated by lipoprotein levels

Purpose: Boronated protoporphyrin (BOPP) is a candidate for use in both boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Our objectives are to identify factors that influence the uptake and retention of BOPP in vitro and to determine BOPP distribution in a human glioma cell line in vitro. This information will aid the development of compounds and treatment strategies that increase the effectiveness of BNCT therapy for GBM. Methods and Materials: The amount, distribution pattern, and site of internalization of BOPP were assessed using fluorescence microscopy. Living human glioma (SF-767) cells were imaged after a 24-h exposure to BOPP (20–135.6 μg/ml, normal serum). Dose-dependent uptake of BOPP was determined using both fluorescence microscopy of individual living cells and inductively-coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) analysis of cell pellets. Lysosome- or mitochondria-specific fluorescent probes were used to identify the cellular compartment containing BOPP. Two human fibroblast cell lines, AG-1522 (LDL receptor-positive) and GM019-15C (LDL receptor-deficient), were used to investigate LDL receptor-dependent BOPP uptake. The dependence of BOPP uptake on lipoproteins in the media was determined by exposing each of the three cell types to BOPP in medium containing either normal (NS) or lipoprotein deficient serum (LPDS). Results: BOPP accumulated in the lysosomes of human glioma cells in vitro, and not in the mitochondria, as reported for C6 rat glioma cells in vitro. BOPP uptake was concentration-dependent and was also dependent on the amount of lipoproteins in the medium. Over the range of incubation concentrations studied and at the single exposure duration time point investigated (24 h), all cells retained a similar amount of BOPP. At the lowest incubation concentration (20 μg/ml, NS), the amount of boron retained was near 10 9 atoms per cell (15 μg B/g cells). Lysosomes containing high concentrations of BOPP were randomly distributed throughout the cytoplasm; however, larger lysosomes containing BOPP were concentrated around the cell nucleus. Little or no BOPP accumulated in the cell nucleus. At incubation concentrations of 20 and 40 μg/ml (24-h time point), BOPP uptake in SF-767 cells was reduced in LPDS compared with NS (66% reduction). A similar result was observed for normal human fibroblasts (AG-1522 cells, 40 μg/ml, 24 h). At 40 μg/ml, in both NS and LPDS at 24 h, BOPP accumulation in LDL receptor-deficient human fibroblasts (GM019-15C cells) was reduced relative to AG-1522 cells. BOPP accumulation in GM019-15C cells (40 μg/ml, 24 h) was not affected by serum lipoprotein levels. Conclusion: In cell culture, BOPP is taken up by human glioma cells via the LDL pathway and is compartmentalized into cellular lysosomes. Knowledge of this mechanism of BOPP uptake and retention will be important in attempts to modify toxicity and efficacy of this drug.

Monitoring adenoviral p53 transduction efficiency by yeast functional assay.

Monitoring the transduction efficiency is of paramount importance in gene therapy. To monitor adenovirus-mediated wild-type p53 gene transfer, we have used a quantitative assay which tests the ability of human p53 to activate transcription in yeast. Selective amplification of cellular and viral p53 transcripts followed by quantitative assessment of mutant p53 content with the assay permits measurement of the wild-type p53 transduction efficiency into SF-188, U251MG and HUG31 glioblastoma cells. One reverse transcription primer tracks the wild-type/mutant ratio of endogenous p53 mRNA (P2), and the other the wild-type/mutant ratio of both endogenous and exogenous p53 mRNA (P1). Following infection of cell lines homozygous for mutant p53, the apparent transduction efficiency calculated (tau 0 = [P1-P2]/[1 + P2]) correlated with the level of p21 expression. Transduction efficiency in heterozygous wild-type/mutant HUG31 cells increased linearly with multiplicity of infection (MOI) for tau 0 values between 0.5 and 5.9, and admixture of normal cell-derived RNA produced only a modest reduction in tau 0 value, in keeping with theoretical predictions. These results suggest that the yeast p53 functional assay may be a useful tool for monitoring p53 gene therapy.

Two polyamine analogs (BE-4-4-4 and BE-4-4-4-4) directly affect growth, survival, and cell cycle progression in two human brain tumor cell lines.

1,14-Bis-(ethyl)-amino-5,10-diazatetradecane N1,N11-bis(ethyl)norspermine (BE-4-4-4) and 1,19-bis-(ethylamino)-5,10,15 triazanonadecane (BE-4-4-4-4) are two relatively new polyamine analogs synthesized for use as antineoplastic agents. In human brain tumor cell lines U-251 MG and SF-767, both agents inhibited cell growth, were cytotoxic, induced a variable G1/S block, and depleted intracellular polyamines. Since intracellular polyamine depletion did not always correlate with growth inhibition, cell survival, or cell cycle progression, it cannot completely explain the effects of these agents on growth, survival, and cell cycle progression in U-251 MG and SF-767 cells.

Anti-neoplastic activity of sequenced administration of O6-benzylguanine, streptozotocin, and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea in vitro and in vivo

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of sequenced administration of O 6-benzylguanine (BG), streptozotocin (STZ), and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) in vitro and in vivo. We measured the recovery of O 6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) and BCNU cytotoxicity in the human glioma SF767 cell line, and anti-tumor activity against xenografts following exposure to BG, STZ or the combination of BG + STZ combined with BCNU. In SF767 cells, the combination of BG (10 μM) + STZ (0.05 mM) produced sustained inhibition of MGMT activity for at least 24 hr, and a greater potentiation of BCNU cytotoxicity than either agent alone. The combined treatment of BG + STZ increased BCNU-induced cell kill by 0.5 to 1.0 log over BG or STZ alone. The maximally tolerated doses of the combination of BG + STZ + BCNU administered to nude mice i.p. were the following: BG (80 mg/kg), STZ (100 mg/kg), and BCNU (15 mg/kg). Utilizing these doses of BG and STZ, the depletion and repletion profile of MGMT activity in SF767 xenografts was measured. STZ at 100 mg/kg did not affect xenograft MGMT activity. Subsequent to BG treatment, xenograft MGMT activity was inactivated completely for 12 hr, and the tumors gradually recovered approximately 40% of control activity by 24 hr. The combination of BG + STZ produced sustained inhibition of MGMT activity for 24 hr in the xenografts with complete recovery of MGMT activity by 48 hr. Administration of the combination of BG + BCNU to nude mice bearing SF767 tumor resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth for 23 days. However, the addition of STZ to this combination provided no greater anti-tumor activity than that observed with BG + BCNU. The three-drug combination of BG, STZ, and BCNU produced no more than 2.4 to 13.0% weight loss with occasional lethal toxicity. Collectively, these data suggest that prolonged depletion of MGMT might be required for optimal reversal of BCNU resistance both in vitro and in vivo.

Radiopotentiation of human brain tumor cells by the spermine analog N1, N14-bis(ethyl)homospermine

Purpose : To determine whether the cytotoxicity produced by radiation can be increased by the spermine analog N 1, N 14-bis(ethyl)homospermine (BE-4-4-4). Methods and Materials : Two human tumor cell lines, SF-126 and U-251 MG, were either treated with 0.1 or 0.4 μM BE-4-4-4 for 3 or 4 days, or with 0.2 μM BE-4-4-4 for 4 days. At the end of BE-4-4-4 treatment, cells were irradiated and assayed immediately. Polyamine levels, cell survival, and cell number were determined. Results : In SF-126 cells, treatment with 0.2 μM BE-4-4-4 for 4 days killed about 50% of the cells and also increased the cytotoxicity of radiation. The dose enhancement ratio was ∼1.3:1.5, which is similar to that reported for α-difluoromethylornithine. Polyamine levels were partially depleted, and growth was inhibited to about 60% of control levels. Pretreatment of cells with either 0.1 or 0.4 μM BE-4-4-4 for 3 or 4 days produced less of an increase in radiation-induced cytotoxicity, even though these exposures killed 30–40% or 60–90% of the cells, respectively. Similar treatment with 0.1–0.4 μM BE-4-4-4 in U-251 MG cells had minimal effects on cytotoxicity and growth inhibition, while treatment with 1.0 μM and 2.0 μM BE-4-4-4 for 4 days produced more than a 50% depletion in polyamine levels and partial inhibition in growth, but failed to demonstrate radiopotentiation. Conclusion : The cytotoxic polyamine analog BE-4-4-4 can increase the cytotoxicity caused by radiation in at least one cell line. The amount of potentiation depends on the concentration of the analog, with the most occurring at the intermediate concentration. Because we did not observe potentiation in both cell lines, and because of the dose dependence seen in SF-126 cells, the clinical efficacy produced by combined BE-4-4-4 and radiation protocols may be limited.

Antiproliferative effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on human glioblastoma cells linked with cell cycle arrest in G1 phase.

The effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) on proliferation and cell cycle alterations in human malignant glioma cell lines, SF-188 and LN-382, were investigated by flow cytometry with the bromodeoxyuridine-propidium iodide dual staining technique. Low concentrations of TNF (1-100 U/ml) suppressed the growth of SF-188 assessed by cell count, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, and thymidine incorporation assay, but not that of LN-382. After TNF treatment, the percentage of SF-188 cells in the G0/G1 phase increased, while the percentage of cells in the S phase decreased. LN-382 cells did not show any marked change in cell kinetics. TNF arrests certain human glioma cells in the G0/G1 phase resulting in reduction of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in the subsequent S phase, suppressing the proliferation pathway.

Antiproliferative Effect of Trapidil on PDGF-associated Growth of Human Glioma Cell Lines in Vitro

The effects of trapidil on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-associated growth of glioblastoma cells were studied. The assessment using PDGF-dependent rat lung endothelium cells revealed secretion of a PDGF-like factor from SF-126 cell line but not from SF-188. Human recombinant PDGF stimulated proliferation of both these glioblastoma cell lines. The anti-PDGF monoclonal antibody inhibited the growth of SF-126 more than SF-188. The results suggest the presence of an autocrine growth mechanism in SF-126 cells mediated by PDGF. The growth of both SF-126 and SF-188 cells was suppressed by trapidil, a specific PDGF antagonist, at 10 and 50 micrograms/ml, respectively. The proliferative response to exogenous PDGF and the antagonistic effect of trapidil were greater in the SF-126 cell line. In addition, trapidil markedly reduced production of prostaglandin E2 in both glioblastoma cell lines. This anti-proliferative effect on malignant glioma cells suggests that trapidil might be a new therapeutic agent for malignant gliomas.

Modulation of Mammalian O6-Alkylguanine-DNA Alkyltransferase in vivo by O6-Benzylguanine and its Effect on the Sensitivity of a Human Glioma Tumor to l-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-l-nitrosourea

Experiments were carried out in mice and hamsters to determine whether the activity of the DNA repair protein, O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase, in tissues and tumors was reduced by treatment with O6-benzylguanine in vivo. Following intraperitoneal injection of O6-benzylguanine, there was a rapid and complete loss of alkyltransferase activity in both livers and kidneys of mice and hamsters. The activity in mouse tissues was slowly restored, reaching pretreatment activities at 16 hr and 72 hr after injection of O6-benzylguanine at 10 mg/kg or 126 mg/kg, respectively. The activity in hamster liver was restored at a significantly lower rate, reaching less than 20% pretreatment activity 72 hr after treatment with 100 mg/kg of O6-benzylguanine. The efficient reduction of alkyltransferase activity by O6-benzylguanine was in sharp contrast to the inability of O6-methylguanine to bring about similar reductions. Activities dropped to about 55% of pretreatment activities in several mouse organs 4 hr after treatment with 126 mg/kg of O6-methylguanine compared to a more than 90% reduction in activity in animals after treatment with O6-benzylguanine. The sensitivity of SF767 cells to meCCNU after treatment with O6-benzylguanine was increased substantially. Furthermore, treatment of nude mice carrying SF767 tumor with 60 mg/kg of O6-benzylguanine prior to either 7.5 or 15 mg/kg of meCCNU led to significant inhibition of tumor growth. These studies indicate that O6-benzylguanine is a suitable compound for use in experiments to examine the role of the alkyltransferase protein in vivo in counteracting the effects of alkylating agents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibition of O6-alkylguanine-DNA-alkyltransferase activity potentiates cytotoxicity and induction of SCEs in human glioma cells resistant to 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea.

SF-188 is a human glioma-derived cell line resistant to the cytotoxic effects of and the induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) by 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU). Pretreatment of SF-188 cells with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) for 1 h increased the cytotoxicity of a 1-h treatment with BCNU 2- to 10-fold and doubled the number of SCEs; the magnitude of these effects was dependent on the dose of both agents. Treatment of SF-188 cells with MNU resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of O6-alkylguanine-DNA-alkyltransferase (O6-AT) activity. Low doses of MNU, which did not significantly inhibit O6-AT, did not potentiate SCE induction. Higher doses of MNU inhibited O6-AT and potentiated cytotoxicity and the induction of SCEs. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that in resistant cells treated with BCNU, O6-AT repairs O6-chloroethylguanine before it can form a DNA interstrand cross-link. Inhibition of this enzyme allows for the formation of BCNU-induced DNA interstrand cross-links resulting in increases in cytotoxicity and induction of SCEs. The correlation between cytotoxicity and the induction of SCEs suggests that measurement of SCEs may be useful for determining the cellular response of normal and tumor cells to in vivo treatment with combinations of chemotherapeutic agents.

Increased repair of O6-alkylguanine DNA adducts in glioma-derived human cells resistant to the cytotoxic and cytogenetic effects of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea.

We investigated the cytotoxic and cytogenetic effects of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) treatment on two cell lines derived from human glioma biopsy specimens. SF-188 cells are 3-fold more resistant to the cytotoxic effects of BCNU and 14-fold more resistant to sister chromatid exchange (SCE) induction caused by BCNU treatment than are SF-126 cells. After treatment with BCNU, 60% fewer DNA interstrand crosslinks were found in SF-188 than in SF-126 cells. The O6-methylguanine alkylation product was removed rapidly from DNA in SF-188 cells treated with [3H]methylnitrosourea, but very little repair of alkylation product occurred in SF-126 cells. These results suggest that one of the mechanisms responsible for cellular resistance to BCNU treatment is increased repair of O6-alkylguanine products in DNA, which reduces the number of crosslinks formed and thereby increases survival and reduces the number of SCEs induced in resistant cells.

Beta-Endorphin: characterization of binding sites specific for the human hormone in human glioblastoma SF126 cells.

The established human glioblastoma cell line SF126 was found to bind tritiated human beta-endorphin (beta h-EP) in a saturable fashion. From displacement studies, the ED50 was estimated to be about 2.5 nM. The Kd was estimated as 1.9 X 10(-9) M and Scatchard analysis showed a biphasic pattern with a predominant low-affinity component. Binding reached a maximum at about 90 min at 22 degrees C and was instantaneously reversible. Tritiated [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin and tritiated dihydromorphine did not bind to the cells. Sodium at a concentration of 150 mM decreased the specific binding by 80%. The interaction with the cellular binding site appeared to be mediated by the COOH-terminal segment of beta h-EP, as beta h-EP-(6-31) retained a high potency for displacing tritiated beta h-EP, and beta h-EP-(1-27) has no activity. Camel beta-EP was only about 1% as active as the human hormone.