The cytotoxic complex, [PtCl(Am) 2 (ACRAMTU)](NO 3 ) 2 (1) ((Am) 2 = ethane-1,2-diamine, en; ACRAMTU = 1-[2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dimethylthiourea), is a dual platinating/ intercalating DNA binder that, unlike clinical platinum agents, does not induce DNA cross-links. Here, we demonstrate that substitution of the thiourea with an amidine group leads to greatly enhanced cytotoxicity in H460 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in vitro and in vivo. Two complexes were synthesized: 4a (Am 2 = en) and 4b (Am = NH 3 ), in which N- [2-(acridin-9-ylamino) ethyl]-N-methylpropionamidine replaces ACRAMTU. Complex 4a proves to be a more efficient DNA binder than complex 1 and induces adducts in sequences not targeted by the prototype. Complexes 4a and 4b induce H460 cell kill with IC 50 values of 28 and 26 nM, respectively, and 4b slows tumor growth in a H460 mouse xenograft study by 40% when administered at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Compound 4b is the first non-cross-linking platinum agent endowed with promising activity in NSCLC.
Background: Little is known of biological functions of DNA polymerase (pol) in human cells. Results: pol promotes replication through the common oxidation product, thymine glycol, in human cells. Conclusion: pol active site can accommodate the considerable distortion imposed by thymine glycol at the extension step. Significance: pol may function in translesion synthesis opposite a variety of DNA lesions.
A major clinical problem in the use of cisplatin to treat cancers is tumor resistance. DNA polymerase η (Polη) is a key polymerase that allows cancer cells to cope with cisplatin–DNA adducts formed during chemotherapy. We present here a structure of human Polη inserting dCTP opposite a cisplatin intrastrand cross-link (PtGpG). We show that specificity of human Polη for PtGpG derives from an active site that is open to permit Watson-Crick geometry of the nascent PtGpG•dCTP base pair and to accommodate the lesion without steric hindrance. The specificity is augmented by residues Gln38 and Ser62 that interact with PtGpG, and Arg61 that interacts with incoming dCTP. Collectively, the structure provides a basis for understanding how Polη in human cells can tolerate DNA damage caused by cisplatin chemotherapy and offers a framework for the design of inhibitors in cancer therapy.
The following complexes of type [PtCl(R)(ACRAMTU)](NO3)2 (ACRAMTU = 1-[2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dimethylthiourea)), derived from prototype 1 (with R = ethane-1,2-diamine), were synthesized: 2 (with R = (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane), 3 (with R = propane-1,3-diamine), 4 (with R = N1,N1,N2,N2-tetramethylethane-1,2-diamine), and 5 (with R = 2,2'-bipyridine). The DNA sequence specificity of the conjugates and their antiproliferative potential in HL-60 and H460 cells were investigated. Conjugate 3 showed the strongest non-cisplatin-type DNA damage in polymerase stop assays and superior cell kill efficacy in H460 lung cancer (IC50 = 70 nM).
Summary
DNA polymerase ζ (Polζ) is specialized for the extension step of translesion DNA synthesis (TLS). Despite its central role in maintaining genome integrity, little is known about its overall architecture. Initially identified as a homodimer of the catalytic subunit Rev3 and the accessory subunit Rev7, yeast Polζ has recently been shown to form a stable four-subunit enzyme (Polζ-d) upon incorporation of Pol31 and Pol32, the accessory subunits of yeast Polδ. To understand the 3-D architecture and assembly of Polζ and Polζ-d we employed electron microscopy. We show here how the catalytic and accessory subunits of Polζ and Polζ-d are organized relative to each other. In particular, we show that Polζ-d has a bilobal architecture resembling the replicative polymerases, and that Pol32 lies in proximity to Rev7. Collectively, our study provides the first views of Polζ and Polζ-d, and a structural framework for understanding their roles in DNA damage bypass.
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